Throughline How We Vote (Throwback)
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Oct 17, 2024 
Jill Lepore, a Harvard history professor and New Yorker staff writer, dives into the intriguing history of American voting. She highlights the chaotic origins of public voting, from raucous town square gatherings to the secluded privacy of today’s ballots. Lepore discusses how the Founding Fathers overlooked voting logistics, debates over electoral integrity, and the significant role of historical events like Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in shaping our democratic processes. The transformation from communal to secret ballots illustrates the ongoing struggle for voting rights.
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Founding Fathers' Oversight
- The Founding Fathers didn't specify voting methods in the Constitution, leaving it to individual states.
- This omission allowed voting practices to change and adapt over time but created inconsistencies.
Party Tickets and Violence
- The rise of political parties led to the use of printed ballots, often distributed through partisan newspapers.
- This change empowered parties but increased public division and made voting a dangerous act.
The Kyle Brothers
- In 1859, George Kyle's brother was killed during a violent election incident due to conflicting party affiliations.
- This highlights the dangers of publicly displaying party loyalty in a highly partisan environment.