The Soldier Vote
The Civil War became the first conflict in which arrangements were made for deployed soldiers to vote. Who the Union soldiers would support—President Abraham Lincoln or their former commander, George McClellan—was critical in determining the outcome of the 1864 presidential election.
Poll book, Company C of the 150th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers
Gift of John M. Swanner
During World War II, federal ballots were provided for service members who had not received their own state’s absentee ballots.
Official Federal War Ballot for Servicemen, 1944
Gift of Leo Seybold
Official Federal War Ballot for Servicemen envelope, 1944
Gift of Leo Seybold
