During the late 1800s, some states allowed women to vote in school or municipal elections but not federal ones. Women were instructed to place their ballots in separate boxes—like this one from Utah—to ensure they didn’t vote in any other race. The fight to ensure that women could vote in all elections entered its home stretch around this time 100 years ago. 35 states had ratified the 19th Amendment when Mississippi rejected it on March 31, 1920. The fight then stretched on until August, when Tennessee delivered the necessary 36th yes vote and the 19th Amendment was finally ratified.
The National Constitution Center's forthcoming exhibit, The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote opening later this year, will feature this ballot box and other historic artifacts.
Artifact from the collection of Ronnie Lapinsky Sax, photo by Mark Gulezian.
From the National Constitution Center
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Read more about our forthcoming exhibit The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote
