Description

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.

Anjali Enjeti examines the psychological, cultural, and political significance of voting in the United States, tracing the history and evolution of ballots, from voice votes to single-party ballots, to punch cards, machines, and computers. She explores the reality of elections in a time where a significantly weakened Voting Rights Act, coupled with a right-leaning Supreme Court, have empowered Republican-led states in recent years to erect daunting barriers to voting through a deluge of anti-voting bills and racialized gerrymandering.

Armed with personal anecdotes as a poll worker, electoral organizer, and grassroots activist, Enjeti weaves a discussion of the history and stakes of ballot integrity within the dizzying and polarized climate of American politics today.

Table of Contents

1. Ballot Beginnings
2. A Brief History of Ballots
Balls, Viva voce, Paper, Absentee, Touchscreen and Electronic Voting Machines, Online
3. Ballot Interference
Voter identification, Absentee ballots, Voter Helpers, Intimidation and Policing, Certification Usurpation, Purges, Felony Disenfranchisement
4. Ballot Dilution
Gerrymandering, Multiracial Voting Blocks
5. Ballot Potential
Local Elections, Initiatives
6. Ballot Psychology
Fear and loathing, Stereotypes, Identities, Influencers
7. Ballot Revolution
Uncommitted, Upheaval, Ultimate
8. Ballot Aftermath
9. The Better Ballot
10. Beyond the Ballot

Acknowledgments
Notes
Index

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 05 Feb 2026
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 160
ISBN 9798765126202
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Series Object Lessons
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Anjali Enjeti

Anjali Enjeti is a journalist, voting rights advoc…

Series Editor

Ian Bogost

Ian Bogost is an author and an award-winning game…

Series Editor

Christopher Schaberg

Christopher Schaberg is Director of the Program in…

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