1864 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Election Soldier's Ballot
Presented is an original soldier’s ballot for the 1864 American presidential election. The ballot is from Binton County, Ohio. The paper ticket is printed with an allegorical representation of “Liberty,” holding an American flag and a sword labeled “Union.” The candidates are displayed as “For President, Abraham Lincoln of Illinois” and “For Vice President, Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee.” The names of the state’s 21 electors are listed below.
During the Civil War, the debate surrounding soldier absentee voting arose as the sheer number of soldiers and sailors stationed away from their home voting districts increased. While similar absentee voting precedents dated to the War of 1812 and New Jersey in 1815, there were no formal state laws or provisions in place for absentee voting. Only a few states, like Missouri, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, were able to pass acts granting absentee voting for soldiers in time for the 1862 midterm elections.
The issue gained more urgency in the summer of the 1864 presidential race, a competitive and close race between incumbent Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democratic candidate George McClellan. As expected, debates surrounding soldier suffrage in the state legislatures followed partisan interests. Politicians tended to support out-of-state absentee voting for soldiers if these votes were expected to favor their party and the military electorate leaned towards the Republican candidates. Obtaining the soldier’s vote was crucial for Lincoln’s reelection.
Even if they agreed to soldier suffrage, each state had to figure out the specifics of how the men at the front would submit their votes, whether that be in-field voting or mailing proxy votes, ballots or tally sheets, and this varied widely state to state. Only the states of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon did not permit any form of voting at the front.
Ultimately, Lincoln defeated McClellan with 212 electoral college votes to McClellan’s 21 vote. Lincoln also won 55% of the popular vote.
CONDITION:
Paper ballot, printed. Very light toning, but healthy full margins. Ballot Dimensions: 7 1/2"H x 3" W. Archivally framed in a custom wooden frame with acid-free black mats and UV glass. Framed dimensions: 11 1/8" H x 6 1/2" W x 1" D.
Accompanied by our company’s letter of authenticity.
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1864 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Election Soldier's Ballot
Colorado
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs CO 80906
United States
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