National Archives Marks Election Day in DC, Nationwide, and Online
Press Release · Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Washington, DC

The National Archives marks Election Day with special programs and events at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, at Presidential Libraries, and online.  See the National Archives Election 2016 web page.  

Programs at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC

These programs are free and open to the public. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW.  

From the Trenches of WWI to the November 2016 Elections: Race Relations in America

Wednesday, November 9, at 7 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube

A panel will discuss race relations in our country, focusing on discrimination in the segregated military during World Wars I and II and the effort to posthumously award Medals of Honor to those who were denied them due to race. A bipartisan group of former Members of Congress join issue experts to look at key events in our nation’s history and how they were influenced by race, as well as the role race played in the November 2016 elections. Moderated by Charlayne Hunter Gault, panelists include former Members of Congress Joe DioGuardi (R-NY) and Steve Horsford (D-NV); and Sam Fulwood, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

The Federal Register and the Electoral College

Thursday, November 10, at 2 p.m., William G. McGowan Theater & YouTube

The Federal Register’s Director of Legal Affairs and Policy, Amy Bunk, will discuss the function of the Electoral College in Presidential elections.  She will also address the Federal Register’s role in disseminating government regulations, proposed rules and notices, Executive orders, proclamations, and other Presidential documents. Presentation materials available online.

National Archives Presidential Libraries - related events, exhibits, and online engagement

#ElectionCollection Challenge
The National Archives Presidential Libraries and the PBS series American Experience have partnered to host the #ElectionCollection challenge each Tuesday this fall to share campaign memorabilia from the collections of the 13 Presidential Libraries. From buttons to beverages to DIY campaign mementos, each challenge asks people to feature election memorabilia from a new category.

#Election2016 What Happened?

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, Atlanta, GA, Thursday, November 18, at 7 p.m

A post-election panel of political scientists who focus on minority public opinion (black, Latino, and Asian American) will discuss the Presidential election result and the underlying attitudes that predicted it.  Presented by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and the James Weldon Johnson Institute.

EXHIBIT:  “A More Perfect Union: How Critical Presidential Elections Reshaped the Constitution”

Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, MO, through December 31, 2016

To mark the Presidential election year and the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, this exhibition examines the evolution of the American government through the Constitutional amendment process, and highlights some key Presidential elections that advanced that process.

The National Archives and the Electoral College

The National Archives has a unique role in the election process - our Office of the Federal Register administers the Electoral College.

• Learn how the Electoral College works and what the Federal Register does
• Fill in the electoral map with your own predictions of the outcome.
• Watch a short video about the Electoral College and how it works.
• See Frequently Asked Questions about the Electoral College.

Related online resources

• Explore Presidential Campaign memorabilia using the National Archives DocsTeach
• See a 1910 patent application drawing of  a voting machine!  
• Relive earlier elections with the online exhibit: Running for Office: Candidates, Campaigns, and the Cartoons of Clifford Berryman.
• Use the National Archives lesson plan:   Teaching with Documents: America Votes

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