Here’s How Farmers Are To Thank For America’s Election Day Timing

You ever wonder why we go to the polls when we do?  Here's how farmers are to thank for America's Election Day timing.

Election Day is always the Tuesday after the first Monday of November (November 7 this year).  This scheduling goes back to the early 1800s when the United States was primarily an agricultural society.  November was practical because it was after the fall harvest and before the onset of winter.  The timing also made it a convenient time for farmers to travel to polling places without interfering with their agricultural work.

Election Day falls on a Tuesday because farmers were generally at post-harvest market on Wednesdays through Saturdays.  Since Sundays were reserved for worship and rest, it left only Mondays and Tuesdays for non-agricultural business.  These considerations, made mostly for farmers, ensured the largest number of eligible voters could participate without being unduly burdened by religious or economic factors.

According to Wikipedia, Election day is a public holiday in some states, including Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.

We are living in an incredibly politically charged time. It seems like the entire world revolves around politics, or at least some people's whole world. And for the most part that is a good thing. Citizens' involvement is key to the system of democracy. Letting those political views sway your opinion of individuals or tear apart relationships with friends or family. I have a hard time with that. But enough of that soapbox. Despite what seems like a hyper-politicization of our world there is actually a decline in Americans' trust in government and as a result political engagement. And both North and South Carolina were ranked as some of the least politically engaged states in the country.

This is a result of a survey/analysis conducted by WalletHub. As Election Day is approaching WalletHub compared the 50 states based on 10 key indicators of political engagement. They range from the percentage of registered voters in the 2020 presidential election to total political contributions per adult population. Keep in mind that WalletHub reports only 66.8% of age-eligible citizens voted in 2020. And that was a record 155 million voters. And of developed nations, the US ranks near the bottom- 30th out of 35- for voter turnout. Voting is such a privilege and integral to our country.

While there are several issues at stake with the upcoming elections, turnout will most likely be lower for the midterms. Presidential elections bring the largest numbers almost always. Senate races will be key and North Carolina is a battleground state with everything at stake. But this study ranks both North and South Carolina in the bottom third of states. Keep reading to see exactly where North and South Carolina ranked on the list of politically engaged states, as well as the top 10. Or read the full analysis here.

**According To WalletHub**

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):  N/A

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   74.20%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   53.40%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   77.50%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   49.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   71.90%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   36.70%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   76.00%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   42.90%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   74.90%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   42.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   75.20%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   53.90%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   73.40%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   46.90%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   70.40%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   38.80%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   75.10%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):  30.50%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   70.30%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   53.40%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   72.40%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):    42.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   76.0%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   43.90%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   69.50%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   45.40%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   64.80%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   34.60%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   68.00%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   32.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   63.20%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   70.70%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   76.40%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   75.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   82.60%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   51.80%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   76.20%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   52.40%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   77.30%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   56.10%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   79.50%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   69.20%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   84.30%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   53.60%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   71.40%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   52.00%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   81.80%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   47.80%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   67.90%

Political Engagement Among Young People (Aged 18 to 24):   63.30%

Political Engagement Among the Elderly (Aged 65+):   76.80%