# Why are elections always held on Tuesdays?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 18, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117 "2004-01-18T16:25:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117/1 "2004-01-18T16:25:55Z")

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In the United States, that is. Anyone know why, or know of any exceptions?

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117/2 "2004-01-18T16:30:50Z")

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[Election Day History.](http://www.flaglerelections.com/kids/firsttuesday.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> Since most residents of rural America had to travel a significant distance to the county seat in order to vote, Monday was not considered reasonable since many people would need to begin travel on Sunday. This would, of course, have conflicted with Church services and Sunday worship.

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**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117/3 "2004-01-18T16:35:25Z")

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[More Election Day History.](http://slate.msn.com/id/1006390)

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**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117/4 "2004-01-18T16:36:28Z")

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> [@Rilchiam](#):
>
> In the United States, that is. Anyone know why, or know of any exceptions?

The Iowa caucuses are being held this Monday, even though it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday.

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**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elections-always-held-on-tuesdays/225117/5 "2004-01-19T05:26:15Z")

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I see. Thank you!