Ballot Box, Northport, Maine, 1796-1818. Maine State Museum. Gift of the McLean County Museum of History, 2009.77.
Ballot Box, Northport, Maine, 1796-1818. Maine State Museum. Gift of the McLean County Museum of History, 2009.77.
This is the oldest known ballot box used in Maine. According to an attached hand-written note, "[t]his is the first ballot box used in the town of Northport, County of Hancock, District of Maine. Daniel Lawrence, Town Clerk..." The term "District of Maine" indicates this ballot box pre-dates Maine's statehood.
The ballot box is designed so the lid can slide to the left or right. A voter could place a ballot or a pebble in one compartment or the other to indicate his vote.