Congressional Intrusion to Specify State Voting Dates for National Offices

Through the nation's first century, states used their concurrentconstitutional right to schedule presidential and House electionsat widely varying times. Senators were also elected within thestates at diverse times. This study examines the gradual establishmentof uniform election dates and offers an explanation of why Congressfelt it appropriate to override state autonomy to eventuallyestablish uniformity of state practices.