Abraham Lincoln & McClellan Ohio Soldiers Ballots for 1864 Pres. Election Ticket

Title:
1864 Civil War-Era Soldier’s Ballots from Ohio – Lincoln/Johnson vs. McClellan/Pendleton – Rare Union Presidential Election Ephemera

Description:
A pair of original 1864 printed soldier’s ballots from the State of Ohio, used by Union soldiers voting while serving during the Civil War. These ballots each represent the official presidential tickets from both major political factions of the 1864 election:

1. Union Presidential Ticket from Seneca County, listing Abraham Lincoln (Illinois) for President and Andrew Johnson (Tennessee) for Vice President, under the National Union Party banner. The ticket is topped with a bold woodcut illustration of Columbia holding a sword and American shield, symbolizing Union strength. It also lists all Ohio electors by name.

2. Union Democratic Ticket from Seneca County, backing George B. McClellan for President and George H. Pendleton for Vice President. This ticket is headed by an image of a waving flag with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” and includes a full roster of Ohio electors supporting the Democratic platform.

Both ballots exhibit original period typefaces and imagery, with localized county designations printed at the top and slight toning and foxing consistent with age. Notably, the Lincoln/Johnson ballot has "Seneca" handwritten at the top, correcting a pre-printed “Morgan County” label—indicative of these tickets being adapted for various regiments and counties based on deployment. The reverse sides show ink transfer or bleed-through typical of 19th-century paper and printing.

Historical Context:
These ballots were distributed to Union soldiers in the field during the 1864 U.S. presidential election—the first in American history to allow widespread absentee voting for troops at war. Amid the bloodshed of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln sought re-election under the National Union Party (a temporary coalition of Republicans and War Democrats), with Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat loyal to the Union, as his running mate. Facing them was George B. McClellan, former Union general turned Democratic candidate, campaigning on a peace platform that would have sought negotiated settlement with the Confederacy.

Soldier voting was a hotly contested issue in 1864, with ballots like these printed and distributed across battlefields and military camps. Lincoln’s overwhelming support among the troops played a decisive role in his re-election and the Union's continued push toward victory.

Authentication & Encapsulation:

• Original 1864 printed election ballots from the presidential race

• Display light handling, period wear, and clear typographic printing

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
These authentic 1864 Civil War soldier’s ballots offer a rare and poignant glimpse into one of the most consequential elections in U.S. history, held in the shadow of war. Representing both sides of the Union vote—Lincoln’s path to preserving the Union versus McClellan’s push for peace—this pairing embodies the political stakes and battlefield realities of the time. A remarkable and historically rich addition for collectors of Civil War memorabilia, political ephemera, or presidential history.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.