Vintage photos that show what voting used to look like

Erin McDowellOct 26, 2020, 22:42 IST

A vintage voting booth with switches circa 1900.Getting Images

In early US elections, paper ballots or "tickets" were used. Separate tickets for each party were handed out, rather than having all the candidates on one ballot.
In the early 1900s, automatic voting machines were introduced.
Just as voting technology has changed significantly in the last 100-plus years, so has who is allowed to vote.

The process of voting has changed a lot over the past 100-plus years.

In the early 1900s, it wasn't uncommon for people to cast paper ballots and deposit them in a traditional "ballot box." However, as technology advanced, automatic and electric systems of ballot-counting were introduced.

Here are 13 vintage photos that show what voting used to be like.

At one time, people would write their chosen candidate's name on a ballot and drop it in a ballot box.

A person depositing their ballot into a ballot box. United States Department of State/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

Before modern touch-screen voting machines, there were vintage versions called lever machines.

A vintage voting booth with switches circa 1900. Getting Images

To cast their vote, people would flick the switch on their desired candidate.

A man standing in a voting machine circa 1905. Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Daily News collection/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images

In the 1900s, restrictions and discrimination prevented certain groups from voting.

Three suffragists casting votes in New York City circa 1917. GraphicaArtis/Getty Images

Voting booths were designed to ensure privacy for voters.

People inside a voting booth in 1953. Ralph Morse/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

In the 1960s, punch-card voting systems came onto the scene.

A woman demonstrating how to use a punch-card voting machine. International Business Machines/United States Information Agency/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

However, some punch-card votes couldn't be tallied due to errors.

People counting votes in Massachusetts in November 1952. Fritz Goro/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Automatic voting machines remained the primary method of voting for decades.

An automatic voting machine in 1965. Automatic Voting Machine Co/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

The 1960s also saw major advancements in voter equality.

An estimated, 1,000 African Americans in line to vote in the Democratic Primary in 1966. AP Photo

Absentee ballots have been actively used since the Civil War.

An absentee ballot for the 1968 US presidential election. Pfeiffer/United States Information Agency/PhotoQuest/Getty Images

The option of absentee voting was later extended to non-service members.

Empty polling booths in 1975. Jack O'Connell/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

In 1971, the voting age was lowered to 18 years old.

Patricia Keefer urging 18 year olds to vote in 1971. Getty Images

Before the 1980s, people with disabilities weren't ensured equal opportunities to vote.

Voters protest inaccessible voting booths in 1988. Getty Images

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