The Voting by Mail: Civil War to Covid-19 / Voto por Correo: De la Guerra Civil al Covid-19 exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, along with this online companion site, explores the history of voting and election mail.
Official government election communications play a significant role in America’s democracy. Mail has been and continues to be a way to provide election information and materials to voters. Over time, events and politics have shaped voting-by-mail legislation with provisions added, removed, and amended. The changing logistical and political reasons for the various ways mail has—and has not—been part of the election process continue to define where, when, and how Americans vote in elections.
Please note, due to space limitations in the gallery and rights limitations online, the selection of objects and images on this website may differ from the items on exhibit in the museum’s gallery.
