
On May 9, 1950, years after the end of the Second World War, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. But Romania also has its own celebration on May 9, one in which Russia also played a role.įor countries of the European Union, including Romania, May 9 is Europe Day, a celebration of the birth of the European Union, while for Russia and other former Soviet republics, the same date marks Victory Day, highlighting Russia’s defeat of Nazism. This year, the difference between the two celebrations is more striking than ever. Some have noted that Veterans Day is a federal holiday close to Election Day and have suggested merging the two.Romania Insider journalist Radu Dumitrescu looks into the historic symbolism of May 9 - a celebration of democracy for most of Europe and a display of authoritarian power for Russia. In November 2014, after a voter turnout of less than 40%, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to create the holiday called Democracy Day, though it didn't result in any change during the 113th Congress. A number of bills to this effect have been introduced in recent years, though to date none have made it through the legislative process. In recent years, frustration with low voter turnout has led to a push to designate Election Day as a national holiday. Buying votes with booze was standard practice until 1811 when Maryland passed the first campaign finance reform law prohibiting the purchase of alcohol for voters. George Washington won a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758 after spending his entire campaign budget on drinks for his supporters.


#RI VICTORY DAY 2022 CODE#
California Elections Code Section 14000 provides that employees otherwise unable to vote must be allowed two hours off with pay, at the beginning or end of a shift. To encourage voter turnout, Election Day is a civic holiday in several states, while some other states require that workers be allowed to take time off with pay. Their 8–7 vote along party lines awarded all 20 votes-and the presidency-to Hayes. Congress established a bipartisan commission to decide those 20. Hayes declared victory Tilden had 19 more electoral votes, but another 20 were contested. In the presidential election of 1876, the winner wasn't known until two days before the inauguration. "Even children too young to vote were involved in these festivities, which got them in the practice of civic participation and instilled a sense that it was important and fun," Holly Jackson, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts, told the paper. At that time, Americans were granted a day off from work, and celebrations and public gatherings were frequently arranged. It is said that a Tuesday was chosen as in those days it would take many voters more than a day to travel to exercise their democratic right and that they shouldn't have to travel on a Sunday.Īccording to USA Today, voter turnout peaked in the 19th century, from the 1840s to the 1890s. Presidential elections began on this date in 1848. Other state and local government elections may also take place on this day.

Presidential elections are held every four years, in years divisible by four, in which electors for President and Vice President are chosen according to the method determined by each state.Įlections to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate are held every two years. The earliest possible date that Election Day can fall on is November 2nd, and the latest possible date is November 8th. Election Day is a US State Holiday observed on several states on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November every even-numbered year.
