Research

Scope and Content Note

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.