The History of Voting Booths and how they may have enabled voter suppression

Deep Dive

Jun 2

Who would have thought what is often seen today, as a protective measure as well as a right to vote in privacy, had been used in history as a means of oppression. More accurately voter suppression. And surely a fifth-grader can tell you which population groups were disenfranchised by the introduction of a new voting system at the turn of the 20th century.

Prior to the use of poll booths, voting was a very public, very vocal and an extreme communal event. Ranging from drunk brawls to outright violence. Men, more specifically white men out of control fully participating in their rather SERIOUS voting rituals–typically with torches, parades and whiskey. Bribery, fights and coercion ruled the day throughout. Survival of the fittest took on a different meaning back then.

Voters were gathered and each participant was required to elevate, not their hands, but their voices to be heard for public record. “This method of voting, called viva voce—literally, “with the living voice” Though very raucous and often, out-of-control it seems, there were those with very strong sentiments on the importance of such method: “The voter is under an absolute moral obligation to consider the interest of the public, not his private advantage,” wrote John Stuart Mill.” further expressing, “...It would be like telling the voter he may vote without regard to the public good and “simply as he feels inclined.”...”Imagine if most voters today approached their civic duty with such high regard. In France and Germany they had similar viewpoints. They referred to these devices as “isolation spaces”. The idea being to “...commune solemnly with their consciousness…”.

So what changed and why? “By the 1880s, ballot reformers were looking for a new way to run elections, one that would wrench some control away from parties and limit vote-buying and other fraudulent practices. They found it in Australia.”Australian reformers gave no consideration for giving hardworking citizens an easy avenue to vote. Unless as in post-Reconstruction South, one could read and write, Southern Democrats were more than eager, (to a fault), to adopt such measures in particular, though the first secret ballot was started in Massachusetts in 1888. This impacted not only black men, but also immigrants and lower working class white males. The requirement of passing literacy tests and other barriers to voting was intentional to disenfranchise these population groups.

It didn’t take long for America to get on board. Even after the passage of the 15th Amendment paving way for MEN regardless of color, the right to vote, various tactics and measures were taken to distill, in particular the black vote. And what was the impact?

Potential voters, having to confine themselves to a private booth, were often faced with the inability to fulfill their civic duty which had been in a much simpler way for them; because many could not read! Additionally, obstacles such as literacy tests, restrictions and challenges of other types fell upon citizens, for instance, in some jurisdictions, time limits for using voting booths were imposed.

An unanswered question remains, who does the secret ballot protect?

Even in this day and age, “Ballot selfies” are becoming popular given the “look at me” culture of today. Never heard of them? Yep, folks are posting photos of themselves showing their marked ballots. Controversy continues as to whether this should be permitted or not. Imagine, whether through ‘viva voce’ or selfie, learning your neighbor votes MAGA? This topic is launching an initiative the Media Group is undertaking during this election season. We could use help, if interested let us know. We have produced our first video under our ‘Why Voting Matters” series. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sE2K4OBWiOY