Why do the United States always vote on a Tuesday in November?

In the United States, federal elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, a tradition established in 1845. This timing was chosen to avoid conflicts with agricultural work and to allow for travel, as many voters lived far from polling places. November was selected as it fell between harvest and winter, while Tuesday was preferred over Sunday, a day of worship, and Wednesday, a market day. Despite changes in society, this practice continues, although Election Day is not a public holiday, requiring many to balance work with voting. Early voting and mail-in ballots have been introduced to facilitate participation.