Why do Americans vote on Tuesdays?

Summary

This script reveals the obscure origin of America's Tuesday voting tradition, rooted in a 19th-century law when travel was by horse and buggy. With voter turnout ranking low globally, the speaker humorously highlights the absurdity of this archaic practice and the ignorance of prominent politicians about its origin. The presentation ends on a hopeful note with the introduction of the Weekend Voting Act, aiming to shift elections to the weekend to boost participation.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The script discusses a secret piece of American history related to the election day.
• 🤔 It poses the question of why Americans vote on a Tuesday, which has been unchanged for 167 years.
• 😅 American voter turnout is notably low, ranking 138th out of 172 nations worldwide.
• 📜 The reason for voting on Tuesday is not found in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.
• 🐎 The origin of Tuesday voting dates back to 1845 when travel was by horse and buggy, and the Sabbath was not a travel day.
• 😲 Modern Americans do not travel by horse and buggy, making the original reason outdated.
• 🤝 The speaker partnered with a group called 'Why Tuesday?' to investigate this issue further.
• 🎥 Interviews with prominent politicians reveal that even they are unaware of the reason behind Tuesday voting.
• 😂 Comedian Chris Rock humorously suggests that voting on a Tuesday is to discourage voter turnout.
• 📝 The Weekend Voting Act has been introduced in Congress to move election day to the weekend, potentially increasing voter participation.
• 🎉 The script concludes with optimism about the possibility of changing American history regarding election day.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speech?

The main topic of the speech is the history and reason behind voting on Tuesdays in the United States.

Why is the American voter turnout so low globally?

The American voter turnout is low because of various factors, including the fact that voting takes place on a Tuesday, which is not always convenient for many citizens.

What is the ranking of the United States in terms of voter turnout among all countries?

The United States ranks 138th out of 172 nations in terms of voter turnout.

Why was Election Day initially set on Tuesday?

Election Day was initially set on Tuesday because, in 1845, it took a day to travel by horse and buggy to the county seat to vote and another day to return, and travel on the Sabbath was not allowed.

What is the significance of the 'Why Tuesday?' group mentioned in the script?

The 'Why Tuesday?' group is significant because they are actively questioning the rationale behind voting on Tuesdays and advocating for a change to make voting more accessible.

What is the Weekend Voting Act proposed in the Congress?

The Weekend Voting Act is a bill proposed in the United States Congress that aims to move Election Day from Tuesday to the weekend to increase voter participation.

Why did the speaker find out about the Tuesday voting tradition?

The speaker found out about the Tuesday voting tradition and was fascinated by the outdated reason behind it, prompting them to get involved with the 'Why Tuesday?' group.

What is the humorous point made by Chris Rock in the script about Tuesday voting?

Chris Rock humorously points out that if they really wanted people to vote, they wouldn't schedule it on a Tuesday in November, as it's not a day people typically gather for social events.

What was the reaction of the elected leaders when asked about the reason for voting on Tuesdays?

The elected leaders, including Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Dick Lugar, Dianne Feinstein, and others, admitted that they did not know the reason for voting on Tuesdays.

How long has it taken for the United States to consider changing the Election Day from Tuesday to the weekend?

It has taken 167 years for the United States to consider changing the Election Day from Tuesday to the weekend with the introduction of the Weekend Voting Act.

What is the speaker's ultimate goal in discussing the history of Tuesday voting?

The speaker's ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the outdated reason for Tuesday voting and to advocate for a change in the law to increase voter participation.