19 Photos That Take Us Through America’s History of Voting

Written by Rachel Schneider on October 14, 2025

Two side-by-side black and white photos: On the left, two women hold “VOTING IS PEOPLE POWER” signs; on the right, Indigenous people in traditional dress wait in line at a polling station.

As America nears its 250th birthday, the act of voting seems straightforward enough. Folks plaster their cars and yards with political signs, celebrities unleash spiels encouraging Americans to exercise their right to vote, and we get “I Voted” stickers once we cast our ballots.

But there was a time when voting was much more discreet — and for some people, it wasn’t allowed altogether. Women have only been allowed to vote for the last 105 years, while the Voting Rights Act that allowed Black people to vote has only been in place for a mere 60 years. These vintage photos take a walk through what voting used to look like in America, so you can see just how far it’s come.

1. Suffragettes Marching for the Right to Vote (1913)

A group of women and girls in early 20th-century clothing hold a banner reading “I WISH MA COULD VOTE” during a suffrage march, with American flags visible in the background. — Dhorlin / Reddit.com

2. Anti-Suffragists (1915)

Five people, including four women and one man, stand outdoors holding a hand-painted sign that reads "DOWN WITH THE SUFFRAGETTS." They are dressed in early 20th-century clothing. — itsacalamity / Reddit.com

3. Vote ‘Yes’ on Women’s Suffrage (1920s)

Black-and-white photo of women in early 20th-century clothing at a street booth with signs reading "Votes for Women" and "Vote Yes on Women Suffrage Oct. 19." One woman holds a sign promoting a suffrage event. — susierabbit / Reddit.com

4. Minneapolis Women Lining Up To Vote for the First Time (1920)

A group of women in early 20th-century clothing stand in line outside a storefront decorated with striped bunting. The shop window displays the words “Wright” and “Auto-Tire.” — _-Robin-_ / Reddit.com

5. Waiting in Line To Vote (1924)

A group of men and one woman, dressed in early 20th-century clothing, stand in a line outside a corrugated metal building with a sign reading "Dickey Co. Inc. Building Materials, Flour & Feed. — RyanSmith / Reddit.com

6. Women From the American Labor Party Teaching Other Women How To Vote (1936)

A group of women stand around a table labeled "LEARN TO VOTE" as a seated woman provides information. Campaign posters for Roosevelt and Lehman are visible in the background. The scene appears to be from the early 20th century. — UserDeleted / Reddit.com

7. Bartender Hanging a Sign Opposing the Local Nebraska Prohibition Vote (1944)

A bartender stands behind a bar holding an anti-prohibition poster, surrounded by liquor bottles and more signs urging people to vote against prohibition on November 7. — AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

8. Voters in Los Angeles Reading Up on Candidates While in Line To Vote (1945)

Four men in suits stand in line at a polling station, holding ballots; two are reading their ballots, while two are inside curtained voting booths casting their votes. — AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

9. Native Americans Registering To Vote After Winning the Right to (1948)

A group of Native American individuals in traditional clothing stand in line at a counter, while one man leans forward to speak with a woman behind the desk. — eaglemaxie / Reddit.com

10. Voters Lining Up Outside a Polling Place in East Harlem (1948)

A long line of people in coats and hats wait on a city sidewalk in front of storefronts and parked cars, suggesting a historical setting, possibly during the 1930s or 1940s. — Hooverpaul / Reddit.com

11. Dayton’s Window Display Ahead of Election Season (1956)

Black-and-white photo of store window display featuring mannequins in 1940s attire standing in line to vote, with a large “VOTE AS YOU PLEASE BUT VOTE” sign and an election voting machine sign in front. — hypo-osmotic / Reddit.com

12. The League of Women Voters With Their Display in Lexington, Kentucky (1957)

Four women pose in a parking lot beside a caged chicken on a stroller. Signs read “They don’t vote, they just squawk” and “League of Women Voters.” Cars are visible in the background. — AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

13. Teaching an Illiterate Woman To Write So She Could Vote (1960)

An older woman writes on paper as a younger woman sits beside her, offering support. Behind them, a sign reads “Jim Crow is Dead!” and another says “Don’t Buy.” — michaelconfoy / Reddit.com

14. Black People Lining Up To Vote After the Voting Rights Act Passed (1965)

A large group of Black men and women stand in long lines inside a gymnasium, waiting to vote at curtained voting booths during the 1960s. People are dressed in formal and casual attire, some looking toward the camera. — Dhorlin / Reddit.com

15. Women Encouraging Voting (1970)

Two women stand on a snowy sidewalk in front of a building, holding signs that read "VOTING IS PEOPLE POWER" and "MARCH BABY"; both wear stylish coats and boots, smiling as they participate in a demonstration. — astraennui / Reddit.com

16. Marching During President Nixon’s Signing of the 26th Amendment, Requiring a Minimum Voting Age of 18 (1971)

Black and white photo of a group of young people marching in the street, holding signs that say “Support your 18 yr. old vote” and “Support the 18-year-old vote.” Cars are parked along the street in the background. — bluefoxmoon / Reddit.com

17. Voting in Hinds County, Mississippi (1971)

Black-and-white photo of people inside a polling place. Some stand in line or vote at booths, while others sit at tables checking in voters. A mirror and fireplace are visible in the background. — Dhorlin / Reddit.com

18. First-Time Voter (1972)

A young woman smiles as she casts her ballot into a box labeled "Indiana," while others wait in line behind her in a polling place. The photo is black and white. — jokesbyjo / Reddit.com

19. When Voting Made You Feel Like the Great and Powerful Oz

A voting booth with patterned curtains partially open, revealing a lever voting machine inside and a red handled tool resting on the machine. — alanboston405 / Reddit.com

Looking for more historical photos?

Split image: On the left, a smiling man in a shearling coat sits outside. On the right, Albert Einstein stands and gestures while speaking to a group of seated young men in suits in a classroom. — Bilieonair / veggytheropoda via Reddit.com

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