Smithsonian Exhibition: Voices and Votes: Democracy in America

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a completed traveling exhibition by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street Program. The program is not affiliated with the Voices and Votes fundraising organization.

About the Exhibition

When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, and whose voices will be heard? Voices and Votes will be a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories.

Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will serve as a community meeting place to convene conversations about what it means to be a citizen and examine the context and main controversies behind America’s democratic system. Towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs, and facilitate educational initiatives to deepen people’s understanding our nation’s democratic system.