If there is weather on Election Day that's bad enough that not everyone can go to the polls, could people get a rain check, or is the date final?

[TheRealLegoIslander]

Jurisdiction

Vermont

I do have a jurisdiction where this is relevant, but I'm also curious about the question in general.

It's odd Election Day's date has always been knee-deep in the cold season, that's like tempting Mother Nature to be the real source of power.

 

[Redemptionman]

No, no run offs or do overs. If you can not make it to the polls too bad better luck 4 years from now.

 

[justblue]

I do have a jurisdiction where this is relevant, but I'm also curious about the question in general.

It's odd Election Day's date has always been knee-deep in the cold season, that's like tempting Mother Nature to be the real source of power.

If you don't want to go out in the cold and snow, mail in your ballot.

 

[Tax Counsel]

It's odd Election Day's date has always been knee-deep in the cold season, that's like tempting Mother Nature to be the real source of power.

Federal law sets the date for election of the president, vice president, and members of Congress and there is no provision for moving it to another day for inclement weather in a particular state. For all other elections the states set the date and time. Note that the time was chosen because by November most of the fall harvest is done but is before winter weather really sets in. This was particularly important when the U.S. was mostly a farming nation.

For most of the country, while temperatures are certainly cooler, rarely is there a ton of snow or other really severe weather that would truly prevent the public from voting. If you live in an area where such weather is likely and your state has alternatives to in person voting it's a good idea to use those alternatives to make sure you'll get your vote in.