New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Tuesday set an Oct. 16 special election to fill the vacancy created by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg. Oct. 16 is a Wednesday. Elections are usually held on a Tuesday. What gives? The election is happening on a Wednesday because it’s the soonest possible date it could be held under the writ Christie issued. State law holds that the primary be held 70-76 days after the writ Christie issued Tuesday, with a general election to follow 64-70 days after that.
Christie said Tuesday his priority was to elect a senator as promptly as possible. ”We have to move swiftly to fill this seat and ensure that there is both a primary and general election as soon as possible,” Christie said.
Thus, a Tuesday, Aug. 13 primary, and exactly 64 days later, a Wednesday, Oct. 16 special general election.
It won’t be the first time a state has held a non-Tuesday election. In fact, it’s a habit in some places. Hawaii holds its primary elections on Saturday. Louisiana also has a history of holding Saturday elections.
Full Article: Why New Jersey is holding a Wednesday election.