Battle of the Ballots

Uncommon election-themed board game from All-Fair.

Published on the eve of the 1932 Presidential election between Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover, this board game attempts to de-mystify the American electoral system to a youthful audience. Two, three, or four players take their chances on becoming ‘elected’ by acquiring the state’s electoral votes by correctly guessing their respective capitals when drawing cards.

The rules note that “the playing surface is a map of the United States. The map shows the name of each state, an illustration of its most important crop or product, and a number of Electoral Votes for President, to which each State is entitled.” As in the real world, an absolute majority wins – 266 or more in the case of two players.

Created in 1931 by All-Fair Incorporated of Churchville, New York. Interestingly, the box art prominently features two fasces – bundles of sticks wrapped around an ax – a prominent symbol of the fascism movements that would pick up steam later in the decade.