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Voting machine used in the 2000 Presidential election

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Manufactured by

    Computer Election Systems, Inc., American, founded 1969

    Description

    A Votomatic III vote recorder that folds up into a metal briefcase with a black plastic handle when closed. The briefcase has four circular rubber pads on each side. A sticker near the handle of the briefcase has a barcode and black text that reads “PROPERTY OF LEE COUNTY ELECTIONS 00000104.” A sticker on top of the briefcase reads “CES VOTOMATIC.” Inside the briefcase there are four metal legs (2013.181.1b-e). The metal legs consist of two rods that are connected through elastic string on their inside. The legs fit into four holes in the bottom of the briefcase. Adhered to the inside of the briefcase top is a large informational graphic with black type titled “Voting Instructions.” A power cord attaches to a fluorescent light bulb on the top of the briefcases inside. Two plastic walls fold out of the briefcase and attach to the sides of the briefcase to shield the voting surface. On the inside of the briefcase's bottom is a surface for the voting ballot. At the center of the surface is a clear plastic cover with several small holes that goes over the ballot and is used in punching holes in the ballot. Directly above this plastic cover is a slot with instructions that read, “INSERT CARD HERE” with an arrow pointing down. Also directly above the plastic cover are the instructions “DO NOT FOLD BALLOT PRIOR TO INSERTING!!!” To the left of the plastic cover are instructions in black type. To the right of the plastic cover is red type. In the top right corner of the voting surface is a metal chain connected to a metal point meant to be held by the voter. In the bottom right corner of the voting surface is a black and grey sticker that reads “CES VOTOMATIC.” Found inside the case are two small metal pieces and a small rubber pad (2013.181.1f-g).

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Date

    ca. 1990

    Object number

    2013.181.1a-h

    Restrictions & Rights

    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    ballot boxes

    Medium

    aluminum, metal, plastic, paper, glass, rubber, and elastic

    Dimensions

    briefcase: 4 x 22 x 21 1/2 in. (10.2 x 55.9 x 54.6 cm)
    when set up as voting booth: 60 1/2 x 28 3/4 x 26 1/4 in. (153.7 x 73 x 66.7 cm)

    Place used

    Lee County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Tools and Equipment
    Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera

    Exhibition

    A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

    On View

    NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Politics
    Suffrage
    Technology
    U.S. History, 1969-2001

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5966e1e4a-af5c-4f84-8532-b0337ab01c48

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2013.181.1a-h

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