The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is set to open a groundbreaking exhibition titled ‘Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19’ on August 24, 2023, running through February 23, 2025. This comprehensive display aims to shed light on the significant role mail-in voting has played in shaping American democracy over the past century and a half.
Contrary to popular belief, voting by mail is not a recent phenomenon sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic. The exhibition reveals that this practice has roots dating back to the Civil War, when soldiers unable to return home were granted the opportunity to cast their votes via mail. The concept gained further traction during World War II, addressing similar challenges faced by deployed military personnel.
The exhibition explores how mail has consistently served as a vital conduit for providing citizens with access to election information and materials. Today, every state in the U.S. has incorporated some form of mail-in voting into their electoral processes, underscoring its widespread adoption and importance.
Visitors to the exhibition will gain insights into the evolving logistical and political factors that have influenced the various ways mail has been integrated into the election process. The display illustrates how mail-in voting continues to shape where, when, and how Americans participate in elections.
The exhibition features a diverse array of historical artifacts that highlight the progression of voting by mail in the United States. Among the notable items on display are a Civil War-era envelope designed for mailing soldiers’ votes on tally sheets, which enabled deployed military service members to participate in Ohio’s 1864 state election. World War II absentee voting materials developed for U.S. Armed Forces are also showcased, including an innovative blank ballot design that allowed for distribution before specific candidate names were available, accommodating the lengthy mailing times for overseas troops.
Modern election mail examples are also prominently featured, including absentee ballots, mail-in ballot envelopes, official election information guides, and notices announcing elections. These contemporary artifacts demonstrate the ongoing relevance and evolution of mail-in voting practices.
Elliot Gruber, director of the National Postal Museum, expressed enthusiasm for the exhibition, stating, ‘We are excited to present the role of mail in U.S. elections for government representatives serving the American public. The history of mail as an official conduit of election information and election voting materials has long been part of our nation’s history.’
To enhance the visitor experience and broaden its educational impact, the exhibition is supported by public and exhibition programming, as well as resources for teachers. A special website has been created to make the stories, themes, and historical artifacts presented in the exhibition accessible to a wider audience.
The ‘Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19’ exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the intricate relationship between mail services and the democratic process in the United States. By tracing the evolution of mail-in voting from its inception during the Civil War to its expanded use during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the exhibition provides valuable context for understanding current debates and practices surrounding mail-in voting.
As discussions about election integrity and accessibility continue to dominate political discourse, this timely exhibition serves as a crucial resource for citizens seeking to understand the historical precedents and ongoing importance of mail-in voting in American democracy. By showcasing the adaptability of the U.S. postal system in facilitating democratic participation across different eras and challenges, the exhibition underscores the resilience and flexibility of American electoral processes.
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