The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.

Originally, the time, place, and manner for the elections of Representatives and Senators was left up to each State's legislature. Congress was allowed to interfere at any time to change any laws or practices except with respect to where elections took place. This was all changed in 1842 when Congress required that States with more than one Reprentative elect them from districts within each State. The State's legislatures draw the district lines. This same law also stated that the elections for the Representatives be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in every even-numbered year. This same date was set for the Senate elections in 1914.

Congress is required to meet at least once every year. The original opening date was changed by the 20th Amendment (1933) to January 3.