Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: Kidnapping, Binge Drinking and Costumes: Voter Fraud in the 1800s
Feb 8, 2025
Discover the outrageous world of 19th-century voter fraud, rife with shocking tactics like coercion, disguises, and ghost voting. Learn about 'cooping,' where victims were kidnapped to manipulate elections, and how Tammany Hall exploited impoverished communities for power. The chaotic blend of celebration and intimidation in political campaigns reveals a tumultuous time that paradoxically enriched culture while undermining democracy. This fascinating exploration draws parallels to modern voting issues, highlighting the evolution of electoral integrity.
33:59
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Quick takeaways
- Cooping exemplified the extreme measures of voter fraud in the 1800s, involving kidnappings and disguises to manipulate voting outcomes.
- Political machines like Tammany Hall showcased the corrupt intertwining of crime and politics, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Deep dives
The Cooping Scandal
In the 1800s, voter fraud practices included a disturbing method known as cooping, where individuals were abducted and forced to vote multiple times for a particular candidate. Victims were kidnapped by gangs who would get them intoxicated and then manipulate them into casting their votes while disguised in costumes. This process highlights the outrageous lengths that political operatives would go to in order to secure electoral wins. The commonality of such practices was so accepted that people often saw it as an integral part of the voting process at the time.
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