Autographs
Unique 1927 Franklin D. Roosevelt Official Absentee Voter Registration Completed Fully Signed by FDR Three Times!
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). 32nd President of the United States.
October 28, 1927-Dated, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Official Absentee Voter Registration Document, 9.5” x 6.5” completed and Signed Three Times, “Franklin D Roosevelt”, along with the Completed Accompanying Ballots, for the General Election of November 8, 1927 for Dutchess County, New York. The Balloting Document consists of three separate pieces. FDR has boldly Signed and Dated the outside of the envelope (containing the ballot) in deep black ink. Within the envelope there are two other official Absentee Voter Ballots: one being “Questions Submitted County of Duchess November 8, 1927”; the other “General Officers County of Duchess Second Assembly District November 8, 1927”.

This “Questions Submitted” Ballot measures 15” x 14.5” and contains nine proposed amendments, each with a “Yes” and “No” box that the voter is to cross mark accordingly. Roosevelt has marked his choices with an “X” in pencil. The proposed amendments include: Executive Budget, City Debt Limit, Grade Crossing Elimination, Salaries, Head of Executive Department, Highway in Forest Preserve, Condemnation by Counties, and Annexation of Territory by Cities. Remarkably, Franklin Roosevelt votes AGAINST the extension of the New York Governor’s term, an office he would seek the very next year (if he hadn’t already been planning his own Campaign). Of course, Roosevelt became the most notorious long-term occupier of office when he was elected to a record FOUR terms as President, prompting the passage of the 22nd Amendment in 1951 which limited the term of office to two.

The “General Officers” Ballot measures 16.5” x 18.25”, 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 placed a cross mark in pencil next to his candidates — all Democrats, of course! The remainder of the ballot is reserved for Town Offices that do not contain printed names of the particular candidates, leaving the voter to complete the form with the names of the candidates and town name. 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 of “Eleanor Roosevelt” for School Director, written in graphite pencil. A fascinating and unique ensemble, giving a rare glimpse of Franklin Roosevelt’s politics before he became the Governor of New York. (3 items).