Name/Title
Ballot BoxEntry/Object ID
T2022.01Description
Metal, can-shaped container to hold voting ballots in Saugatuck's electionsCataloged By
Winthers, SallyLocation
Building
2nd floor archivesInterpretative Labels
Label
from "Pieces of Our Past" 2017 at OSH
Securing our democracy
A citizen’s ability to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy going back to the end of the Revolutionary War. This age-old tradition continued in mid-20th Century Saugatuck with ballot containers such as this barrel-shaped example. Lockable, it provided a thin slot for voters to cast their completed ballots, which were later tallied by the county clerk. Each ballot box had to be inspected periodically and approved for continued service.
This ballot box was disapproved by Allegan County board of canvassers in 1998, and later donated to the History Center. The 1946 photograph below shows this style of ballot box in use for an election at Saugatuck Village Hall.Create Date
August 29, 2021Update Date
September 17, 2023
