Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s official absentee voter envelope and ballots for the General Elections of Dutchess County, New York, held on November 8, 1927, filled out in ink and pencil by Roosevelt, who signs his name three times to the ballot envelope. The grouping, as follows:
The ballot envelope, 9.5 x 6.5, postmarked at Warm Springs, Georgia, on October 28, 1927, signed three times in bold ink by Roosevelt, twice on the front with residence (“Post Road”), county (“Second”), city (“Hyde Park”), and election district (“3”), and once on the reverse with added residence and city; the notary public has signed and dated below.
The "Questions Submitted" ballot, measures 15 x 14.5 unfolded, contains nine proposed amendments: Executive Budget, City Debt Limit, Grade Crossing Elimination, Salaries, Head of Executive Department, Four Year Term, Highway in Forest Preserve, Condemnation by Counties, and Annexation of Territory by Cities. Roosevelt marks an “X” in pencil to six of the ‘Yes’ boxes and to three of the ‘No’ boxes, including amendment No. 6, which increases the term of New York governorship from two years to four years—Roosevelt would become New York Governor roughly one year, narrowly defeating Republican gubernatorial nominee, New York Attorney General Albert Ottinger. His election as governor of the most populous state at once made him a contender in the next presidential election
The "General Officers" ballot, measures 16.5 x 18.5 unfolded, contains the printed names of candidates for eight specific offices: Associate Judge Court of Appeals, Justice of the Supreme Court, Member of the Assembly, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Superintendent of the Poor, and Coroner. Roosevelt had placed an “X” mark in pencil next to his candidates, all of which are Democrats. The remainder of the ballot is reserved for Town Offices that do not contain printed names of the particular candidates, which leaves the voter to complete the form with the names of the candidates and the towns. Beside each of the offices, Roosevelt has written in pencil his town, "Hyde Park," along with his chosen candidates. Most notable here is his choice for School Director, "Eleanor Roosevelt.” In overall fine condition, with deterioration to the unsigned photo in the display, which could easily be replaced. A fascinating ensemble, giving a rare glimpse of Roosevelt's politics before he became Governor of New York.

Format:Ballots