Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "The Voting Machine and Election Reform"

Vote: The Machinery of Democracy Homepage

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:09:00 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the history of voting methods in the United States, study how ballots and voting systems have evolved over the years as a response to political, social, and technological change, transforming the ways in which Americans vote. The exhibit includes sections on paper ballots, reform, the gear & lever voting machine, Florida 2000, and present and future ballots.

The Gear & Lever Voting Machine

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:32:53 GMT

Gear and Lever voting, meant to ensure the confidentiality and efficiency of the election process, is the focus of this section of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s online exhibition entitled Vote: The Machinery of Democracy. Students will learn about the connection between the 19th Amendment, the suffrage movement and improved voting technology.

Winning the Vote for Women

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:50:48 GMT

For more than a century, women in the United States struggled to obtain the right to vote. In 1920, the suffrage movement finally achieved victory with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring the history of the women's suffrage movement and women's role in civic life today. Focused on actively reading Mama Went to Jail for the Vote, a historical fiction picture book about the women's suffrage movement, this module also includes links to a hands-on activity, field trip, object-based learning experience, and technology exploration.