National Vote Early Day

A diverse group of individuals, wearing patriotic colors and holding signs, standing in front of a polling station with American flags.. — National vote early day illustration

Welcome to WhatNationalDayIsIt.com, where we uncover the delightful and surprising history behind all those wacky national days! Today, we're diving into the realm of democracy and civic duty with National Vote Early Day. So grab your ballot box and get ready for a fascinating journey through the annals of voting history!

When is Vote Early Day?

It's national vote early day on the 24th October.

The Birth of National Vote Early Day

Let's start at the beginning, shall we? National Vote Early Day was established to encourage Americans to take advantage of their right to cast their votes before Election Day. This special day aims to raise awareness about the benefits and convenience of early voting. After all, why wait in long lines on Election Day when you can get in early and avoid the crowds?

Vote Early Day

Internet Buzz and Celebration

The internet has been buzzing with excitement about National Vote Early Day. With 1149 online mentions, it's safe to say that people are eager to exercise their democratic rights. The peak of the online chatter was on October 24th, 2020, when social media platforms were flooded with reminders and tips to vote early. From informative infographics to hilarious memes, the internet has played a crucial role in getting the word out.

Did You Know?

Did you know that early voting dates back to ancient Athens? That's right! In the early days of democracy, Athenian citizens would gather in a central location to vote by dropping beans into urns. These beans were called 'psephoi,' which means pebbles, and they served as a tangible representation of the voters' voices. So, the next time you cast your early vote, remember that you're keeping alive a tradition that dates back thousands of years!

History behind the term 'Vote Early'

1840

The beginning of early voting

In 1840, the state of Kentucky became the first in the United States to enact laws allowing voters to cast their ballots prior to Election Day. This marked the beginning of what we now know as 'early voting.' Initially, this option was limited to specific reasons such as being out of town on Election Day or illness. However, it laid the foundation for future expansion and broadening of the early voting concept.

1851

Expansion of early voting availability

By 1851, the state of California became the first to establish a standardized early voting period open to all eligible voters. The idea gained traction as a means to accommodate the growing numbers of Californians seeking to cast their votes without the constraints of a single Election Day. This move set an important precedent for other states considering the implementation of early voting.

1870

Early voting for soldiers

In 1870, the U.S. Congress expanded the concept of early voting to include provisions for soldiers serving in the military. The soldiers were granted the opportunity to vote early to ensure their participation in the democratic process, even when stationed away from their home states. This recognition of the unique circumstances faced by soldiers became an essential part of early voting initiatives in subsequent years.

1920

Early voting for women

The year 1920 marked a significant milestone for early voting as it coincided with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote. With this legislation, women joined men as eligible voters and had the same access to early voting options. This expansion of voting rights helped promote gender equality and further solidified the importance of early voting.

1978

Expansion of early voting periods

In 1978, Texas became the first state to formally enact laws allowing for a significant expansion of early voting periods. The legislation expanded the early voting period from a few days to several weeks, aiming to provide voters with ample time to cast their ballots. This represented a shift towards giving voters increased flexibility and convenience in exercising their democratic rights.

1996

Federal legislation supporting early voting

In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Federal Military and Overseas Voting Empowerment Act (MOVE Act), which established guidelines and requirements for early voting access for military members and U.S. citizens living abroad. The MOVE Act aimed to streamline absentee voting procedures and enhance early voting opportunities, ensuring that all eligible voters could participate in the electoral process, regardless of their location or circumstances.

2020

Growing popularity and increased access

In recent years, early voting has gained considerable popularity and importance in elections across the United States. The year 2020, in particular, witnessed a significant surge in early voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about crowded polling places. Many states expanded early voting options, allowing more citizens to vote by mail or in-person before Election Day. This growing awareness and accessibility of early voting underlines its increasing significance in democratic processes.