Alton, Mo. – The General Elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. In honor of the elections, here are seven fun facts about election days around the world.
#1 Ties
Once in Wyoming, there was a tie for a House of Representatives race. The governor broke the tie by pulling out a ping-pong ball with a name on it out of a cowboy hat. In Nevada, they needed to settle a tie in 2011 where neither candidate wanted to pay $600 for a recount. They pulled drawing cards; the highest card wins. [1]
#2 Marble Voting
Since the country of Gambia has a lot of illiterate people, the Gambians use marbles to cast their votes instead of ballots. [2]
#3 Different Days
Not all of the world vote on Tuesday; most countries vote on Sundays. Some exceptions are as follows: Canada, who votes on Mondays; England, who votes on Thursdays; and Australians and New Zealanders, who vote on Saturday’s. [3]
#4 Idiots Can’t Vote
In Ohio’s constitution, there is a clause that states, “No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector.” [4]
#5 Mandatory Voting
Voting is required in Australia for anyone that is over eighteen. If they don’t show up on election day, they are fined AU$20 or $15 United States dollars. [5]
#6 Election Day— 200 Years Ago
When the United States first became an independent country, the people celebrated election days with eating, drinking, parading, and other activities. They also did not have secret ballots as we do now, instead, they could have a public voice vote, and through another ballot. [6]
#7 Astronauts Voting In Space
Astronauts can also vote, even if they’re in space. They have special electronic absentee ballots so the astronauts can vote. [7]
Notes:
- ^Goodman, Emily. “13 Important Facts About Election Day.” Reader’s Digest, 19 Oct. 2020. (go back ↩)
- ^“Voting with marbles in the Gambia —.” 29 Oct. 2020. (go back ↩)
- ^“15 Facts About Elections Around the World.” 15 Oct. 2016. (go back ↩)
- ^“10 Fun Facts on Voting History | THIRTEEN – New York Public Media.” THIRTEEN – New York Public Media, 29 Oct. 2020. (go back ↩)
- ^“8 Fun And Interesting Facts About Voting.” 98.5 The Sports Hub – Boston’s Home For Sports, 16 Oct. 2020. (go back ↩)
- ^“10 fascinating facts about Election Day – National Constitution Center.” National Constitution Center – constitutioncenter.org, 29 Oct. 2020. (go back ↩)
- ^“How Do Astronauts Vote From Space?” National Air and Space Museum, 5 Nov. 2018. (go back ↩)
