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Election Rigging As Old As Elections : 1845

stock here: was this part of the way that someone like Lincoln got elected?

In the early 19th century, U.S. presidential elections lacked a standardized voting day, allowing states to hold elections over a span of weeks. This extended period enabled “electioneering,” where early voting results from some states could influence voter turnout and decisions in states voting later. Such practices raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

To address these issues, Congress passed the Presidential Election Day Act on January 23, 1845. This legislation established a uniform national election day for choosing presidential electors, set as “the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.” The primary objectives were to:

Prevent Election Manipulation: By synchronizing elections across all states, the law aimed to eliminate the possibility of early results influencing subsequent voting behavior.

Enhance Electoral Integrity: A single election day reduced opportunities for fraud and ensured a more equitable process.

Facilitate Timely Results: Standardization expedited the electoral process, providing quicker and more decisive outcomes.

Text of the Act:

The Act’s key provision states:

“That the electors of President and Vice President shall be appointed in each State on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November of the year in which they are to be appointed.”
Wikipedia

This legislation is codified in the U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 5 (1836-1845), and can be accessed through the Library of Congress.
The Library of Congress

By instituting a uniform election day, the 1845 Act played a crucial role in promoting fairer and more consistent electoral practices across the United States.

For a comprehensive understanding of the Act and its implications, you can refer to the full text available on Congress.gov.
Congress.gov | Library of Congress

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