The Tuesday after the First Monday is Today

It’s the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which means it’s Election Day in the United States. Did you ever wonder about how the whole “Tuesday after the first Monday” thing happened? Yes? Here you go…

In 1792, each state was allowed to set its own election Tuesday, so long as it happened between early November and the first Wednesday in December. The time frame was chosen because the harvest season had ended, and bad winter travel conditions hadn’t started yet. The day of the week was chosen to allow citizens to attend church on Sunday, travel to their polling place, which was usually their county seat, on Monday, vote on Tuesday and sell their produce and products at the Wednesday market.

When the telegraph was invented, tested, and rolled out as a way of instant communication across vast distances, Congress set a uniform election date so that word of who won which state wouldn’t sway elections in other states that hadn’t held theirs yet. And so, beginning in 1845, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November was designated as the official day for federal elections to occur. Most states also hold their statewide races at the same time, for the sake of convenience.

Today, no matter who you voted for, or even whether you voted at all, you’re probably feeling at least a little relief that all the junk mail and political ads are done with, at least for a couple of years. It’s my guess the people who conceived of the American voting rights never imagined we’d have career politicians, PACs whose purpose is to defame and destroy the opposition candidates, and voters who choose not to vote because it’s become so contentious.

Face it, for a lot of us, election season is highly stressful. Depending on the outcome of the elections, that stress can continue for quite a while. The Tiny Bites podcast to the rescue!

Feeling uncertain and overwhelmed? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!  

Feeling like the magic is missing? There’s a Tiny Bite for that! 

Feeling a bit divided? There’s a Tiny Bite for that!

The Wellbeing Wisdom Tiny Bites podcast is the world's second-shortest podcast, and every episode shares a gamebraining tool to help you deal with whatever life throws at you. Got a minute and a half? There's a new Tiny Bite podcast waiting for you every day at the Center for Workplace Happiness website and wherever you listen to podcasts.  

As for the election, let’s hold good intentions and wishes for the ones who are elected, whether we would have chosen them or not. For better or for worse, they’re our representatives for at least the next couple of years. May they use the trust placed in them wisely.

Wags, Sandy Weaver, Program Director, Center for Workplace Happiness

PS...looking for something different to give your clients, teammates or family members this year? Check out the personal development courses and books available through the Center for Workplace Happiness. Need a bunch? Enjoy generous bulk discounts!