With
the coming elections, we thought it might be interesting to compare voting from
100 years ago. Oh, the times have
changed!
These
photographs illustrate the sample ballot published in the Sherburne County Star
News for the election of 1916. A feature
of the ballots for 100 years ago in Minnesota in 1916 there were no direct
votes for the President. When voters
cast their ballots, they voted for “Presidential Electors.” In other words, they voted for members of the
Electoral College.
It
would appear, in the election of 1916, a more literal interpretation of the
Constitution directed voting in Minnesota.
At that time, the state legislature was appointed to set the rules for
balloting and selection of members of the Electoral College. And so you see the different ballot of 1916.
Also,
remember voting for federal offices was a privilege reserved for men. The women’s ballot consisted of selections to
the local school board.
Yes,
voting practices have definitely changed in 100 years!
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