Federal law says Election Day must be held on the Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in November.

A uniform date was first selected by Congress in 1845 when farming was essential to most American communities, so holding the election in November – after most harvests were complete – was ideal.

Elections routinely were held on Tuesday so it did not interfere with the Biblical Sabbath and because most farmer’s markets were open on Wednesdays.

Now that our society isn’t so agriculture-focused and Tuesday is considered a “work day” for most Americans, some critics believe we should make changes to Election Day laws.