File:ConfederateElectoralBallotVirginiaNov6186.jpg

English: Electoral ballot from Virginia in the November 6, 1861 election for President of the Confederate States of America. The ink stains are from the signature of the voter on the other side of the paper (pictured on the same store Web page: "Wm. P. Smith"). Store Web page states: "A Cast Ballot from Virginia for the 1861 Election of the Confederate States of America's leaders. As distinguished from the electoral tickets that were handed out as political flyers at the polling places, this is an actual cast ballot. It can be identified as such because of the tiny cancellation hole in the center and by the fact that it was signed on reverse by the voter. As unusual an invasion of privacy as this might seem to us today, it was frequently the practice in those days to have voters sign their ballots to avoid ballot box stuffing. [...] It measures 5 by 6 & 3/4 quarter inches. We believe the name is William P. Smith and we believe he was from Loudoun County, Virginia and may have served in the Confederate Army. There are a number of William P. Smith's on the roster of Confederate soldiers. This item is from a Loudoun County estate."