Election Day: Frequently Asked Questions (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 1, 2024 |
| Report Number |
R46413 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Caitlin Curran |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
Election Day is the day legally established to select public officials in the United States. General
elections for federal offices—President, Vice President, and U.S. Congress—are held on the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Citizens vote for President
and Vice President every four years, Representatives every two years, and Senators every six
years; this excludes special elections to fill unexpired terms. State and local elections are often
but not always held on the same day as federal elections.
This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about the history and current legal
status of Election Day. It discusses how the first federal elections were held, how a single Election Day for federal offices
was established in the 19th century, why the Tuesday after the first Monday in November was selected as Election Day, and
related issues.
