THF186534

Instruction Model Voting Machine, circa 1936

Summary

Gear and lever voting machines were the quintessential method of voting for two generations of Americans, from the 1920s through the 1980s. These high tech devices tabulated votes mechanically. Considered scientific and reliable, they were relatively tamper proof and allowed for completely secret balloting. This model machine helped new voters learn how to operate them.

Artifact

Voting-machine

Date Made

circa 1936

On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Pop Up Exhibit

Object ID

2020.53.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. From the Estate of Jerry D. Rowe.

Material

Metal
Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Color

Gray (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 1.875 in

Width: 15.125 in

Length: 12.5 in

Inscriptions

plaque on top: MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE / PRESENTED BY / AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINE / CORPORATION / JAMESTOWN, N.Y. voting instructions on top, proper right side: DIRECTIONS for VOTING / 1st. Move the Red Handle to / the Right and leave it there. / 2nd. Pull the lever / of your party to the right. / To vote a split ticket: After you have / pulled the party leaver, turn up the pointer / over the candidate's name you wish to cut / out, and turn a pointer over the name of any / other candidate for the same office. / 3rd. Turn a pointer over the / "Yes" or "No" of each question. / 4th. Leave the pointers / down. / CANDIDATE / 5th. Move the Red Handle to / the Left. / Form A-695 P.L. plaque on bottom of top: AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINE CORP. / JAMESTOWN, N.Y. / INSTRUCTION MODEL / NO. 5421 painted on top, proper left side and on bottom of top: PY-67