Super Tuesday: Why are US elections always on a Tuesday?
It's not just Super Tuesday that's always on the second day of the week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Super Tuesday is one of the most important days in the US political calendar.
Fourteen states will hold primary elections across the country, with the results proving a strong indicator for the general election. And it's not just the number of states, but the number of delegates proving vital for those vying to be president.
As with the November election and numerous primaries leading up to it, Super Tuesday is - funnily enough - always held on a Tuesday. As with most things political, there is an archaic reason behind this seemingly random decision.
A law dating back to the mid-19th century is the source of why American elections are always on the second day of the week.
Approved in January 1845, the law states "that the electors of President and Vice President shall be appointed in each state on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November of the year in which they are to be appointed."
The reason for the decision was because of the generally religious and agrarian makeup of American society in the 1800s. Sundays were a day of rest, Wednesdays were commonly market day, and voting usually required a day of travel either side, so Tuesday was settled upon as the most suitable day.
Since this decision, general elections have always been held on the first Tuesday of November.
The first official Super Tuesday is generally cited as being in 1988 when 20 states held primary elections on the same day. However the term was used earlier, with The New York Times using it in the late 1970s.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments