The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is set to open a new exhibition, 'Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19,' highlighting the integral role mail has played in the American electoral process. This exhibition, running from August 24 through February 23, 2025, will explore the evolution of mail-in voting from its inception during the Civil War to its contemporary use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voting by mail began out of necessity during the Civil War, allowing soldiers to cast their votes while away from home. This practice was revived during World War II for similar reasons, reflecting the ongoing need for absentee voting in times of conflict. Today, every state offers some form of mail-in voting, underscoring its relevance and importance in ensuring voter access and participation.
The exhibition will provide a comprehensive look at how legislation and political events have shaped mail-in voting over time. It will examine the logistical and political reasons behind the adoption of various mail-in voting methods and how these methods continue to influence where, when, and how Americans participate in elections. Notably, Kansas became the first state to allow mail-in voting for civilians in 1901, initially limited to railroad employees. Since the 1980s, several jurisdictions, including eight states and the District of Columbia, have adopted all-mail voting systems, distributing ballots automatically to registered voters.
The Covid-19 pandemic further brought mail-in voting to the forefront, prompting temporary procedures and new laws to facilitate safer voting options. This period also sparked significant debates over the use of mail for voting, highlighting its critical role in modern electoral processes.
The exhibition will showcase a variety of historical and contemporary artifacts, including a Civil War envelope used for mailing soldiers’ votes in the 1864 Ohio state election, World War II absentee voting materials for U.S. Armed Forces, and modern election mail items such as absentee ballots and election information guides.
'We are excited to present the role of mail in U.S. elections for government representatives serving the American public,' said Elliot Gruber, director of the museum. 'The history of mail as an official conduit of election information and election voting materials has long been part of our nation’s history.'
In addition to the physical exhibition, the museum is offering public programs, educational resources for teachers, and a special website featuring the stories, themes, and historical artifacts presented in the exhibition.
