美国有线新闻 CNN 美国迎来选举日 中期选举拉开帷幕

 

It is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November and that, according to a law established in 1845, makes it Election Day in America. Of course, many Americans have already cast their ballots¹ in early voting. But many more will be lined up at polling² places across the country today to decide the results of the midterm elections. They're called that because they happen in the middle of a president's term.

But why the first Tuesday after the first Monday? That has to do with farming. In the mid³ 1800s, most Americans did that, and they didn't live near a voting place. Because of the time it took them to travel, and because of scheduling conflicts at times like market day and during the planting and harvest seasons, Congress picked a Tuesday in November for its convenience. And that's when elections have been held ever since.

Flash forward to now, and while society and the way people cast their ballots have changed, they'll be deciding on many of the same positions. Who will serve dozens of US states as governor? Who will represent Americans in the US House of Representatives? Who will fill about a third of the seats up for election in the Senate? And who will get thousands of available state and local political jobs? Campaigning was in full swing right up to the 11th hour.

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 polling   

n.投票

参考例句：

• a week before polling day 投票日前一周（的那天）
• You can cast your vote at the local polling station. 你可以在当地的投票站投票。

3 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。