When is "Election Day"?
Election Day in the United States is the day set by law for the selection of public officials by popular ballot. For federal offices, it occurs on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November (the Tuesday between November 2 and November 8, inclusively).
Election Day in the United Kingdom is by tradition a Thursday, but the date for general elections is not fixed by law. Most other European countries hold all Elections on Sundays. Polls in the United Kingdom open at 7:00 and close at 22:00.
A General Election in the UK follows the dissolution of Parliament by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister of the day. The Prime Minister thus has the power to choose the date of the election. Thursday has been the customary day to hold elections since the 1930s.
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What is this day for?
Election Day usually refers to the day when general elections are held in a country.
In many countries, general elections are always held on a Sunday, to enable as many voters as possible to participate, while in other countries elections are always held on a weekday, as many feel that Sundays are religious holidays that should be devoted to God. However, some countries, or regions within a country, always make a weekday election day a public holiday, thus satisfying both demands.
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Election Day in the United States
"Presidential elections are held every four years. Elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate are held every two years." "Many state and local government offices are also elected on Election Day as a matter of convenience and cost saving." "However, a handful of states hold elections for state offices during odd numbered, off years; this varies according to state and local laws."
"In Federal elections, all members of the House of Representatives are elected for two-year terms together with one-third of the Senate for six-year terms." "In years with a presidential election, electors for President and Vice-president are also chosen according to the method determined by each state."
"Congress has mandated a uniform date for Presidential (3 U.S.C. § 1) and Congressional (2 U.S.C. § 1 and 2 U.S.C. § 7) elections, though early voting is nonetheless authorized in many states." "In Oregon, where all elections are vote-by-mail, all ballots must be received by a set time on Election Day, as is common with absentee ballots in most states (except overseas military ballots which receive more time by Federal law). In the state of Washington, where most counties are vote-by-mail (and in the others most votes are cast by mail as permanent absentee ballots), ballots need only be postmarked by Election Day."
"Election Day is a legal holiday in some states, including Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia." "Some other states have laws that allow workers to take time off from employment without reprisal, and often without loss in pay." "California law simply states employees must be allowed to vote, but since voting can be done before or after working hours no time off or pay is offered by many employers." "Democratic Representative John Conyers of Michigan recently introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would make Election Day a national holiday, Democracy Day."
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What type of holiday is this?
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How can I Celebrate this holiday?
- Blog with us about it! - We have a blog called "Everyday is a Holiday" so visit our pages and talk with us about the holidays.
- Send Free E-Greeting! - If your ready to get together with your friends don't forget to invite them with these fun Internet Invitations.
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Resource links for more research:
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Other November holidays around the world
November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of four Gregorian months with the length of 30 days. November retained its name (from the Latin novem meaning "nine") when January and February were added to the Roman calendar.
- All Saints' Day (formerly All Hallows Day), a Christian holy day, is celebrated on November 1, the day after Halloween. In Sweden the All Saints' official holiday takes place on the first Saturday of November.
- Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11 in the Commonwealth of Nations and various European countries (including France and Belgium) to commemorate World War I and other wars. It is known as Veterans' Day is the United States.
- The United States and Puerto Rico observe Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.
- The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is a famous day for shopping known as "Black Friday."
