United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Vote Counter

A black handheld counter, in two sections, each with a tab to press and numbers. Numbers in the left section are white, and in the right section are red./tiles/collection/7/729.xml
A black handheld counter, in two sections, each with a tab to press and numbers. Numbers in the left section are white, and in the right section are red./tiles/collection/7/730.xml
A black handheld counter, in two sections, each with a tab to press and numbers. Numbers in the left section are white, and in the right section are red.
A black handheld counter, in two sections, each with a tab to press and numbers. Numbers in the left section are white, and in the right section are red.
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Date

1928-1950

Manufacturer

Veeder-Root Inc.

Dimensions

1 3/4 x 2 5/8 x 2 in. (4.4 x 6.7 x 5.1 cm)

Accession Number

2005.081.003

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Before electronic voting was introduced, this well-worn object, two manual counters welded together, was often the center of attention on the Floor of the House. When a vote was going to be close, Republican Leader Gerald Ford directed a staffer to use this counter to keep informal track of the yeas and nays. One vote keeper recalled that “on occasion there would be rather a large crowd” peering over his shoulder to see which way the vote was going.

Rights and Reproduction Information

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Electronic Voting Station
Electronic Voting Station

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The House Sets a Record for Roll Call Votes Prior to Electronic Voting
The House Sets a Record for Roll Call Votes Prior to Electronic Voting
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov