A Century and a Half of Voting by Mail: New Smithsonian Exhibit Chronicles the History of a Controversial Method
The recent upsurge in vote-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic may have led some Americans to believe the practice is a modern phenomenon. However, a new exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, "Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19," unveils the surprisingly long history of mail-in voting dating back to the 1860s and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- The exhibition details the evolution of mail-in voting, emphasizing its use during the Civil War and its continued importance throughout the 20th Century.
- It showcases artifacts including historical ballot envelopes, election mailers, and photographs, illustrating the various iterations of mail-in voting over time.
- The exhibit acknowledges the rise of election integrity concerns and the distrust surrounding mail-in voting among conservatives following the 2020 election.
- The museum seeks public donations to further expand the exhibition and showcase the many facets of mail-in voting.
A Long History of Access, Challenges, and Controversy
The exhibition’s curator, Carrie Villar, emphasizes that vote-by-mail is far from a novel concept. "It was sort of presented during the pandemic as a new concept for a lot of folks who may have never encountered it before," she explains. "We thought with this presidential election coming up in 2024, there could be no better place than the National Postal Museum to have an exhibit where we talk about voting by mail and how it’s not a new thing. It’s been around for over 160 years in various forms."
The exhibit starts with the 1864 Presidential Election, marking a pivotal moment when voting-by-mail gained national prominence, particularly for soldiers serving in the Civil War.
“That was the big moment that voting by mail stepped up to a national stage,” says Villar, “We wanted to highlight how the military has been a driving force in promoting voting by mail throughout history."
The exhibit goes on to display artifacts that illustrate how mail-in voting evolved over the decades. For example, visitors can see an envelope used during the 1864 election to mail a tally sheet of votes cast by Civil War soldiers from Ohio at a field hospital in Georgia.
A History Marked By Disenfranchisement
The exhibition also tackles the history of disenfranchisement and the role of voting by mail in various historical contexts.
One particularly powerful piece is a photo from 1942, displaying Japanese American citizens waiting to have their absentee ballots notarized while imprisoned in the Tule Lake concentration camp.
Villar explains, “It’s a reminder of how even during a time of extreme hardship and unjust incarceration, these citizens were still determined to exercise their right to vote, even when faced with formidable hurdles.”
This story serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for voting rights in the U.S., highlighting the critical role that voting by mail can play in ensuring accessible and inclusive elections.
Debates Around Integrity and Public Trust
The "Voting by Mail" exhibition also addresses the recent controversy surrounding vote-by-mail and the concerns about election integrity that have emerged in recent years. While it does not directly address the unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud made during the 2020 election, it acknowledges the escalating mistrust among conservative voters following the 2020 election.
Villar says, “We wanted to honestly portray the public debate over voting by mail, acknowledging the anxieties that have arisen. But we also want to reiterate the historical evidence that voting by mail has been a safe and reliable method for decades.”
The Future of Voting by Mail and A Call to Action
The museum intends to expand the exhibition with more artifacts, acknowledging the ongoing evolution of voting by mail in the 21st Century. However, Villar emphasizes that relying on public donations is crucial for ensuring the comprehensiveness of the exhibit.
“The museum is actively collecting historical materials related to voting by mail during this election and beyond," Villar explains. "We’re hoping the public will contribute what they have to help tell the story."
They encourage individuals to consider donating historical documents, election mailers, or even photos related to the process of mail-in voting, recognizing that these artifacts represent a crucial aspect of American political history.
"The story of voting by mail is not complete without the public’s participation," says Villar. "We want to show everyone how this voting method has been a part of American democracy for so long."
A Call To Action – Engage With History
The exhibition "Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19" encourages visitors to learn about the history of a highly debated voting method and to reflect on its significance in protecting American democracy. It also serves as a call to action for voters to actively participate in the ongoing evolution of voting.
Villar hopes that visitors will leave the exhibit "inspired to vote however they choose to do it and to know more that voting by mail has a long history of successfully being carried out." "We want to encourage everyone to actively exercise their right to vote and to contribute to making elections more accessible and inclusive for all Americans," she adds.
