Have you voted yet today?
In New York state, the main race is between McCall, Pataki, and Golisano as candidates for governor. Their campaigns have been full of negative slams against each other. It would have been easier to make a decision if just one of the candidates spent more time convincing us how they were going to make New York state a better place to live. But, how can you tell who is best with all the mud-slinging going on? Whoever wins, I hope they do something to improve the upstate New York economy!
Did you ever wonder why election day is always on the second Tuesday in November? Just out of curiosity, I searched the web, and found the answer on the Federal Election Commission website:
"The Tuesday after the first Monday in November was initially established in 1845 (3 U.S.C. 1) for the appointment of Presidential electors in every fourth year. 2 U.S.C. 7 established this date for electing U.S. Representatives in every even numbered year in 1875. Finaly, 2 U.S.C. 1 established this date as the time for electing U.S. Senators in 1914. Why early November? For much of our history America was a predominantly agrarian society. Law makers therefore took into account that November was perhaps the most convenient month for farmers and rural workers to be able to travel to the polls. The fall harvest was over, (remembering that spring was planting time and summer was taken up with working the fields and tending the crops) but in the majority of the nation the weather was still mild enough to permit travel over unimproved roads. Why Tuesday? 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 as many people would need to begin travel on Sunday. This would, of course, have conflicted with church services and Sunday worship. Why the first Tuesday after the first Monday? Lawmakers wanted to prevent election day from falling on the first of November for two reasons. November 1st is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. In addition, most merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month on the 1st. Congress was apparently worried that the economic success or failure of the previous month might influence the vote of the merchants."
Too much information?
I had several people comment that Election Day should be a paid National holiday every year. I don't think it's necessary since the polls are open early and close late. What do you think?
Anyhow, that's enough rambling for another night. Time to go watch the election results on TV!
If you're taking the time to read this, I welcome your feedback. Anything goes, from mispelled words to your opinions; just no porn or profanity!!!
Thanks for reading!
Take care!
Ann Marie
