Presidential Election Day 2016: Date, Time & How to Register to Vote

With the presidential debate season underway, it is a signal to voters that the election is around the corner. The 2016 presidential election takes place on Tuesday, November 8.

Need to register to vote? Click here to download a paper version of the voter registration form. Voting registration rules vary from state to state and the form outlines the rules where you live. Click here to find out how to register to vote in your state.

There are currently 31 states that allow voters to register online. Click here to see if the state where you live has this option available.

To participate in the presidential election, there are a few requirements. Voters must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old and register to vote by your state’s registration deadline. Voting registration varies from state to state with the majority of deadlines falling in October. The US Vote Foundation has a full rundown of each state’s deadlines.

The specific polling hours for the election depends on where you live. Ballotpedia breaks down the opening and closing polling times for every state. If you cannot vote in person on November 8, click here to get your absentee ballot.

While the actual date varies every four years, the United States always votes for president on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. This year, the first day of November falls on a Tuesday so the election takes place after the first Monday on November 8. According to the History Channel, the custom dates back to 1845 when Congress passed a federal law designating this process to find the election date every four years.

The decision to vote on both a Tuesday and in the month of November has agrarian roots. In the 1800’s, the majority of people in America were farmers. Polling locations were not as convenient as they are today. People often traveled a day to go vote. Holding the election on a Tuesday allowed for two days (Monday and Tuesday) to account for traveling to and from the polling locations.

November was selected as the month because it did not interfere with the planting season. By November, the fall harvest had already been complete, and it was just before the harsh winter weather hit allowing people to travel to the polls.