Voting Marbles, 1880-1900. Maine State Museum. Gift of Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, D.A.R., 2003.70.2.
Voting Marbles, 1880-1900. Maine State Museum. Gift of Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, D.A.R., 2003.70.2.
The term ballot is derived from the Italian word "ballotta," meaning "little ball." A voter communicated "yes" with a white marble or "no" with a black one.
These marbles were not used in governmental elections. Members of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R) voted with them in their chapter elections. The G.A.R. was a fraternal organization of Union veterans from the Civil War.