How Did Early New Jersey Vote?
Tavern Sign
1802
Wood, Paint
In New Jersey in the early 1800s, local taverns often served as polling places. Women and people of color joined other legal voters to cast their ballots in taverns marked by signs like this one. This sign hung over John Hopper’s tavern in Bergen County.
This tavern sign bears a painting of Democratic-Republican President Thomas Jefferson. Despite efforts to prevent voters from facing partisan pressure, elections often took place in taverns where party loyalties were on full display.
From the Collections of the Bergen County Historical Society, bergencountyhistory.org.
Poll List
October 13, 1801
Ink on Paper
To further prevent fraud, poll lists recorded the names of all voters. When voting closed, poll inspectors made sure the number of ballots in the box matched the number of names on the poll list to ensure all votes were accounted for.
This poll list for an 1801 state election held at the Rocky Hill Inn in Montgomery Township recorded the names of 343 voters, 46 of whom were women. At least four of the voters were people of color.
New Jersey State Archives, Department of State
Ballot Box
ca. 1811
Wood, Iron, Brass
This ballot box from Deptford Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, meets the stringent requirements for ballot boxes listed in the state’s 1797 electoral reform law. It is, as that act required, “about a foot square with a lid on the top, fastened with brass or iron hinges and with two locks and keys thereto of different sizes and constructions, and an opening wide enough to fit one ballot at a time.”
Gloucester County Historical Society
Ballot Box
ca. 1811
Wood, Iron, Brass
This box is decorated with two plaques identifying it to Deptford. One is dated 1811, however this box appears to have been in service for many decades. It bears what appears to be a later stencil on this back side. The stencil probably dates between 1860 and 1890. It bears the Latin motto, “vox populi,” which translates to “voice of the people.”
Gloucester County Historical Society
Ballot Box
ca. 1811
Wood, Iron, Brass
This box is decorated with two plaques identifying it to Deptford. One is dated 1811, however this box appears to have been in service for many decades. It bears what appears to be a later stencil on this back side. The stencil probably dates between 1860 and 1890. It bears the Latin motto, “vox populi,” which translates to “voice of the people.”
Gloucester County Historical Society