Prior to 1976 presidential election, typical cycles were 10-12 months long. This year, Ted Cruz, announced his candidacy 500+ days in advance.
The negative impact to long election cycles are numerous. Only very wealthy and connected individuals can afford to campaign. Special interests have turned out election into a reality tv show.
I'm proposing a law that many other major counties have in place. Canada's recent election was 11 weeks long (and was judged lengthy). The U.K. and Mexico have less than 150 day election seasons.
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/21/450238156/canadas-...
Let's have a 90-120 election with voting day on a Saturday. And eliminate paid tv ads to bring back civil discourse!