Election Day

Election Day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For most people, Election Day is not a holiday from work or school. United States citizens vote on this day. Every four years, they vote for the President and Vice president of the United States. Every six years, they elect senators. Every two years, they elect representatives. On Election Day, many people also vote for city and state leaders.

Polls are usually in schools, churches, and public buildings. On Election Day, polls are open from very early in the morning until 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening. People go to polling places near their homes. Person use a machine to vote and always vote by secret ballot.

Today all United States citizens 18 and older can vote if they want to. But years ago, it was different. Women and African Americans did not have the right to vote. In 1871, black men received the right to vote. But many African Americans could not vote because of sate laws about voting. For example, if people could not read or write, they could not vote in some states. These laws were very unfair.

In 1920, American women received the right to vote. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law gave voting right to all United States citizens.

Today race and sex do not prevent Americans from voting or from running for political office. African Americans are now political leaders. Many cities have black mayors. In 1990, the state of Virginia elected the first black governor.

Women ,too, are now political leaders. Many cities have women mayors, and some states have women governors. In 1984, a woman ran for Vice President. She lost the election, but this was an important step for American women. Maybe one day in the future, the United States will have a woman President.