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This is the main reason why a fixed day is fixed for the presidential elections in America. In 1845, America was not the modern nation it is today. Most of the country's population lived in rural areas and were engaged in agriculture. In those days, a period of 34 days was allotted to make voting convenient for people living in remote areas. Voting started from the beginning of November and continued till the first Wednesday of December. This facility was convenient for the people, but it caused problems.
What is the cause of the problem?
The problem was that the attitudes and opinions of people in states where elections were held early affected the votes of people in states where elections were held late. This will benefit one party and harm the other. To solve this problem the need arose to fix a fixed day for elections.
November was chosen for this reason
As mentioned above, most Americans at the time were farmers. The spring season, lasting March, April and May, was the planting season for farmers. They had to work in the fields during the summer months of June, July and August. During the autumn season of September and October, they harvested crops. It is very cold from December to February. So only one November was left, with the beginning of which the farmers got free time. If the elections are held in November, then the farming cycle of the farmers will not get disturbed and the harsh winter will start soon so that more and more people can come out to vote. For this reason, the beginning of November was chosen for the presidential elections.
Time was selected based on convenience of farmers
Americans' religious beliefs were a factor in choosing the first Tuesday of November for the election. In those days, there were not as many polling stations as there are today. Farmers living in villages had to travel miles to polling stations to vote. In the absence of petrol-powered vehicles, one had to travel by horse-drawn carriage, which took several days.
It started on Sunday and ended on Wednesday
Most Americans are religious and go to church on Sunday. So if voting is held on Saturday and Sunday, very few people leave the church and come to vote. Also, on Wednesdays, markets are held in America, in which farmers go to sell their produce. Therefore, Wednesday was also not a suitable day for voting.
This was the reason for choosing Tuesday
Tuesday was chosen for the election on the assumption that people could travel on Monday and reach the polling station by Tuesday after attending Sunday church and then return home by Wednesday to vote.
the practice continued
Farmers are no longer forced to maintain the facility, in modern times all Americans have vehicles and polling stations are not far away, yet the practice of holding elections in the US on the first Tuesday of November still persists.
Early voting facility is also available
Early voting facilities have also been set up in the United States for the convenience of those who cannot vote on the first Tuesday of November. Those who do not have a convenient election day can also vote by mail.
