Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 20

vy -i i ipu; iiiBBl "wm 1 5" Election Day occurs every November, and it's the duty of all eligible United States citizens to exercise their right to vote. Doing so is the easiest way Americans can actively participate in government. Participating in federal, state and local government can be done in many ways, but few are as easy and important as voting. The History of Election Day The day set aside for citizens of the United States to elect public officials is called Election Day. It occurs on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

The earliest possible date is November 2 and the latest possible date is November 8. Starting in the year 1792, the Congress of the United States of America allowed individual states to hold elections at almost any time within 34 days before the first week of December. Early lawmakers decided that the month of November was good for two reasons. Because early American society was largely agrarian, that time period was perfect for voting farmers who would have already finished up the harvest. State election days in November were also considered early enough so the chances of winter storms arising to impede travel were reduced.

Because many people had to travel great distances to reach polling locations, road conditions were important in getting people to vote. Without a harvest and the likelihood of good roads, men were able to make the journey to cast their votes it is important to remember that women were not allowed to vote in the early years of American history. As communications improved into the 1 800s, it became evident that information passed through telegraph, telegram and new-papers had more far-reaching effects. If one state held an election, especially a presidential election, the results could be made known to several other states yet to hold their own election. Many lawmakers feared that this kind of information would influence voters who had yet to make their decision or else discourage or encourage other people from voting.

In 1844, Congress decided to set a national day for elections, or Election Day. Tuesday was established as election day because it did not interfere with the Biblical Sabbath or with market day, which was on Wednesday in many towns. The Following Sponsors Would Like To Remind You to Vote on Tuesday, November 6. 1 James Micenheimer, Auctioneer JL Forehand Siding Windows J's Pump Service Motors Miles Chevy-Nissan Moundford Terrace Apartments Mt. Zion Convention Center Poage Cadillac Buick GMC Pop's Place Rambo Realty Ring Container Schrock Builders Speed Lube Complete Auto Care Spring Creek Towers Steven Cornell Construction Svendsen Florists VAN NATTA Enterprises Veolia ES Solid Waste Midwest LLC Vonderlieth Living Center Warren Danz A-l Fence, Owner Chris Abe Bob's Flower Shop Akorn, Inc.

Allied Asphalt ASE Blacktop ATI Services of Illinois LLC Billingsley Service Center Towing Blue Mound Leader Bob Brady Auto Mall Bob Ridings in Decatur Butch's Auto Body Central Illinois Auctions Dean Rhoades Lester Crandall Chapman-Henricks Insurance Agency Decatur Auto Parts, Inc. Furnish 123 Golden Glaze Hairstyles for Men Only Hickory Point Christian Village lllini Paint Co. Jack-A-Slab Construction.