Lawmakers wanted to prevent election day from falling on the first of November for two reasons. First, November 1st is All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation for Roman Catholics. Second, most merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month on the 1st. Many observers believe that current registration laws hinder voter turnout. Demographic composition of the electorate, long periods of political or economic stability, predictable outcomes in many races, and lack of some candidates' appeal are other factors determining voter turnout.
Turnout tends to be higher in general elections than in primary elections.
Although seriously discussed, compulsory voting has never been enacted into law in the United States. Although the franchise now extends to almost every citizen 18 years or older, in the beginning of the Republic, the right to vote was limited to adult males who either owned property or paid taxes. The Electoral College system gives each state the same number of electoral votes as it has members of Congress. The District of Columbia also gets three electoral votes. There are a total of 538 votes, and a candidate must get 270 to win.