Examples of ballots and related voting records issued by Union states to soldiers during the 1864 presidential election

Alphabetic by state.

These records were collected by the Bureau of Military Statistics which requested them from each state. Although not specifically authorized to collect this type of information by its enabling legislation, the bureau's director stated in his first annual report that it would be the intention of the bureau to collect anything pertaining to the Civil War.

This series consists of printed tickets, legislative laws and proceedings, one state canvass, and circulars pertaining to the 1864 presidential election contested between Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan. The printed tickets usually provide the names not only of the presidential candidates but also of candidates running for various local offices and presidential electors. In many instances the tickets are the only items pertaining to a state. One state, Wisconsin, submitted not only examples of tickets, but also copies of its statute authorizing soldiers in the field to vote; copies of legislative proceedings discussing the pros and cons of allowing soldiers to vote; a printed state canvass detailing voting results; and various circulars relating to voting procedures.

In addition to Wisconsin, the series contains voting records submitted by the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Item list.

Collation date 1865.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.