Countdown to Election Day

US Election Day is the day Americans go to the polls, and the countdown above shows exactly how long remains until voting begins. It falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, a rule that sounds like a technicality but genuinely changes the date: in a year when 1 November is a Tuesday, the election is held a week later.

Federal elections run on a fixed two-year rhythm. Presidential elections land on even years divisible by four, and midterm elections fall halfway through a presidential term, deciding the entire House of Representatives, roughly a third of the Senate, and a large number of state and local offices.

When is Election Day?

Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Because the rule anchors to the first Monday rather than the first Tuesday, the date can fall anywhere from 2 to 8 November. The countdown above resolves the next one for you. To plan around it, try the time until calculator, or check what else is coming on the countdown index.

Why Tuesday in November?

Congress fixed the date in 1845, when the United States was largely agricultural and many voters travelled a long way to reach a polling place. November sat after the harvest but before winter made roads impassable. Tuesday avoided Sunday worship and gave voters a day to travel after it, and the first Monday anchor stopped Election Day landing on 1 November, which is All Saints' Day and also the day many merchants settled the previous month's accounts.

What is decided

• All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, every two years.
• About one third of the 100 Senate seats, which serve six-year terms.
• The presidency, every four years.
• Many state governorships, legislatures and judicial seats.
• Local offices and ballot measures, which vary widely by state.

Voting before the day itself

Election Day is a deadline rather than the only opportunity to vote. Most states offer early in-person voting, absentee ballots or voting by mail, and the rules, deadlines and ID requirements differ substantially from state to state. Registration deadlines in particular often fall weeks before the election, so the countdown above is worth reading as time remaining to prepare, not just time until the polls open.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next US Election Day?

It falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The countdown above shows the exact time remaining until the next one.

Why is Election Day not simply the first Tuesday of November?

The rule anchors to the first Monday so that Election Day can never fall on 1 November, which is All Saints' Day and was also a traditional day for settling monthly accounts.

What is the difference between a midterm and a presidential election?

Presidential elections happen every four years. Midterms fall halfway between them and decide Congress, state and local offices, but not the presidency.

Is Election Day a federal holiday?

No. It is not a federal public holiday, although some states treat it as a holiday or require employers to give workers time off to vote.

Do I have to vote on Election Day itself?

No. Most states offer early voting, mail-in or absentee ballots. Deadlines vary by state and registration usually closes well before Election Day.