Name/Title
Tissue Ballot (Loan)Entry/Object ID
L2014.3.4Description
Framed paper with handwritten annotation and adhered tissue ballot. The handwriting at the top reads, "A tissue-ballot used to elect Wade Hampton - governor of South Carolina in 1876." This handwriting is also found at the bottom: "A dozen of these ballots would be voted, stuck together, as one but 'in the count' would be separated and each one counted." The ballot, adhered to the middle, is small and rectangular, preprinted indicating a vote for Wade Hampton as governor. "Tissue ballot" is handwritten on the ballot itself.
On Loan from the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.Context
Parties distributed ballots in most elections at this time. A "tissue ballot" separated into multiple sheets upon shaking the box, which resulted in fraudulent Democratic votes.
Courtesy of the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.