Voting is a fundamental process in a democratic system. While making Election Day a national holiday or moving it to the weekend would by no means be a cure-all, it could be used in conjunction with other strategies like automatic voter registration (nearly 87% of registered voters participated in the 2016 election), restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people and removing other barriers such as voter ID … The 2020 Election is unusual not only because of the particularly … Election Day: Why Is Today’s Election Important? The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit.   However, on September 25, 2018, the bill was reintroduced as the Democracy Day Act of 2018 by Vermont’s … Voting rights in the United States have not always been equally accessible. member of a country, state, or town who shares responsibilities for the area and benefits from being a member. Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society, Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society Teach your students about the importance of voting with these resources. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. That's why it's incredibly important to take time before Election Day to learn what each candidate believes and what they plan to do if elected. This indirect election method was seen as a balance between the popular vote and using a state’s representatives in Congress to elect a president.Because the Constitution did not specifically say who could vote, this question was largely left to the states into the 1800s. taking away of certain rights, such as voting rights; exclusion from certain occupations, especially positions of influence, exclusion from mainstream narratives, media, and public discourse. Farm culture also explains why Election Day always falls in November. reducing polling locations in predominantly African American or Lantinx neighborhoods, or only having polling stations open during business hours, when many disenfranchised populations are working and unable to take time off. Why is Election Day celebrated? On Election Day, most voters may deliver their absentee ballots directly to their normal polling place, but it must arrive before polls close at … Although the election did not come down to a handful of votes in one state, Trump’s votes in the Electoral College decided a tight race. Women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the long efforts of the women’s suffrage movement resulted in the 19th Amendment.With these amendments removing the previous barriers to voting (particularly sex and race), theoretically all American citizens over the age of 21 could vote by the mid 1960s. The answer stems from the agrarian makeup of 19th-century America. AFAIK, election day is the final cut off for voting, no results are declared on that day. “Voting is your civic duty.” This is a pretty common sentiment, especially each November as Election Day approaches. So why is election day so important for stock market. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! By Michael Hirsh | September 25, 2020, 2:07 PM. Though it eventually gained 110 cosponsors, the bill was never considered by the full House. Election Day is the day that is set by law for hosting the general elections of a variety of federal public officials. someone or something who acts in place of a group of people. There is also a legend that merchants in the 1800s tended to do their bookkeeping on the first day of the month, and scheduling an important election on that day might interfere with business. Americans first began the custom of weekday voting in 1845, when Congress passed a federal law designating the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day. selection of people to public office by vote. At that time, the United States was still a largely agrarian society. This year ’ s presidential election, just weeks away, has often been characterized as the most important election of our lifetimes. National Geographic Headquarters That it … So states were left to pick their own election days, including when elections for federal offices were held. Making the election the first Tuesday after the first Monday also ensured that the election would never be held on Nov. 1, which is All Saints Day, a Catholic holy day of obligation. Although Election Day is usually the answer to who will be the President for the next four years this year all bets are off. There is no national primary voting day, but Super Tuesday is as close as it comes. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society Originally, election days varied by state, but in 1845 a law was passed to set a single election day for the entire country. This is why voting is a priority factor for the American political system and those officials who participate in it. Faced with these issues, Congress created the current Election Day in the hope of streamlining the voting process. Why the fate of the American republic—and the world—could depend on what happens Nov. 3. Here's why the 2018 midterms are important 1. In most cases, landowning white men were eligible to vote, while white women, black people, and other disadvantaged groups of the time were excluded from voting (known as disenfranchisement). When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. The president, however, would be elected not by direct vote, but rather by the Electoral College. The weather and farming dictated when elections were held. Privacy Notice |  While presidential or other national elections usually get a significant voter turnout, local elections are typically decided by a much smaller group of voters.A Portland State University study found that fewer than 15 percent of eligible voters were turning out to vote for mayors, council members, and other local offices. A History of Voting in the United StatesToday, most American citizens over the age of 18 are entitled to vote in federal and state elections, but voting was not always a default right for all Americans. But why a Tuesday in November? No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights. Hip Hop Community News, Hip Hop News | Trending Hip Hop Stories, News Exclusives. In the United States, Election Day is the annual day set by law for the general elections of federal public officials.It is statutorily set by the Federal Government as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November" equaling the Tuesday occurring within November 2 to November 8. The answer lies with America’s 19th-century farmers. November 7, 2017. What issues do students want to ask candidates about? But any federal election involving the Electoral College needed to be resolved by mid-December. Clinton had won the national popular vote by nearly three million votes, but the concentration of Trump voters in key districts in “swing” states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan helped seal enough electoral votes to win the presidency.Your vote may not directly elect the president, but if your vote joins enough others in your voting district or county, your vote undoubtedly matters when it comes to electoral results. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Election 2020 Why Jan. 6 Is Key Date for Trump’s Election Gripes By . Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. Elections are important for the following reasons: You might have heard that both candidates are hoping to … vote totals for a candidate or issue, made by all qualified voters. The … Below are six interesting facts about the history of Election Day: The Election Day was first coined in 1845. 20 comments The Electoral College assigns a number of representative votes per state, typically based on the state’s population. All rights reserved. And what does it mean for Americans in particular? Kiah Fields. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Had 600 more pro-Gore voters gone to the polls in Florida that November, there may have been an entirely different president from 2000–2008.More recently, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by securing a close Electoral College win. Without elections, democracy isn't based on the wants and needs of the people. Most states have a “winner take all” system where the popular vote winner gets the state’s electoral votes. The Singular Importance of Your Vote—And the Steps You Need To Take Before Election Day Kara Jillian Brown ・ July 20, 2020 Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest Share on email Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. That is why it’s important to regularly check if you are eligible to vote in your district. Though November 3 is billed as Election Day in America, even if the results are known as a winner declared, the actually election for President of the United States occurs on December 14. Margot Willis, National Geographic Society. Changes Drawn on Election Day Ever. Code of Ethics. An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office.. 10. Because of this, elections are essential. Plus, the experienced political reporter shares what he hopes to learn from Wisconsin's midterm elections.To participate, text 'election' to 414-269-6404. On November 3rd the eyes of the world will be focused on the US Election. state that is equally statistically likely to vote for either of the two major United States political parties, making it key to victory in an election. The United States Constitution, as originally written, did not define specifically who could or could not vote—but it did establish how the new country would vote.Article 1 of the Constitution determined that members of the Senate and House of Representatives would both be elected directly by popular vote. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. Every election, everyone says, “Now I know every election everyone says, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime,’ but this time it actually is the most important.” Today is election day and we’re encouraging people to make sure their voices are heard by not only getting out and voting, but getting out the vote. Voting Before Election Day. READ MORE: Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties. Knowing the early voting results could affect turnout and sway opinion in states that held late elections, and those same last-minute voters could potentially decide the outcome of the entire election. Join Us for Election Night Live Trading! In the United States, the voting process is fairly straightforward. She or he will best know the preferred format. activities designed to achieve a social, political, or military goal. Election Day … Why is number 270 so important in US elections? The importance of voting rights on election day. Election Day is now a civic holiday in several states including Delaware, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey and the territory of Puerto Rico. Typically in the United States, national elections draw large numbers of voters compared to local elections. That left the late fall month of November—after the harvest was complete, but before the arrival of harsh winter weather—as the best choice. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated since the 17th century. The leaders that are chosen then have the opportunity to vote and institute rules that represent what the people would have selected. electors representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, responsible for officially electing the President and Vice-President of the United States. Terms of Service |  https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/why-voting-important Daniel Flatley. These articles provide insight into a breadth of important issues facing our world today, including the environment, civic engagement, and history. African Americans and women of all ethnicities have fought, and continue to fight, especially hard to have their voices heard. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the executive and judiciary, and for regional and local … But unfortunately, over the last few years, states across the country have thrown up roadblocks to the right to vote.