30 vintage photos documenting voters and elections in Detroit through the years

It might be hard to remember anything other than the political turmoil of the last three and a half years. But thanks to the incredible photo collection from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs at Wayne State University, we have a look back on other election seasons. We may not be able to change the past, but the future is absolutely up to us. So, reminisce, feel remorse if needed, and remember to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3

All photos used courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University/Virtual Motor City collection.

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Voting machine. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Voting machine.

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Voting machine. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Voting machine.

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Voting machine. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Voting machine.

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Crowds waiting to vote. (1928) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Crowds waiting to vote. (1928)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Workers checking ballots in basement cafeteria of City-County bldg. after breakdown of new punch-card voting system. (1970) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Workers checking ballots in basement cafeteria of City-County bldg. after breakdown of new punch-card voting system. (1970)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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President Gerald R. Ford at U of M, Ann Arbor, to kick off his campaign for the November election. (1976) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

President Gerald R. Ford at U of M, Ann Arbor, to kick off his campaign for the November election. (1976)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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President Gerald R. Ford at U of M, Ann Arbor, to kick off his campaign for the November election. (1976) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

President Gerald R. Ford at U of M, Ann Arbor, to kick off his campaign for the November election. (1976)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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U. S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey with Presidential candidate in Detroit. (1972) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

U. S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey with Presidential candidate in Detroit. (1972)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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John F. Kennedy in Detroit. Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy (left) with campaign supporters in Detroit (Michigan lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate John B. Swainson is on his left). All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

John F. Kennedy in Detroit.

Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy (left) with campaign supporters in Detroit (Michigan lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate John B. Swainson is on his left).
All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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John F. Kennedy in Detroit. Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy with campaign supporters in Detroit. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

John F. Kennedy in Detroit.

Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy with campaign supporters in Detroit.
All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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John F. Kennedy in Detroit. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

John F. Kennedy in Detroit.

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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John F. Kennedy in Detroit. (1960) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

John F. Kennedy in Detroit. (1960)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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John F. Kennedy in Detroit. All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

John F. Kennedy in Detroit.


All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Walter F. Mondale in Detroit. (1976) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Walter F. Mondale in Detroit. (1976)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. (1980) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. (1980)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. (1980) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. (1980)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan in Birmingham Park. (1990) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan in Birmingham Park. (1990)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Labor leader Walter P. Reuther voting with daughter Linda. (1947) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Labor leader Walter P. Reuther voting with daughter Linda. (1947)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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Presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson speaking in front of City Hall to labor crowd, Governor Williams, Blair Moody, Frank X Martell, Walter Reuther, and Mrs. Williams.(1952) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson speaking in front of City Hall to labor crowd, Governor Williams, Blair Moody, Frank X Martell, Walter Reuther, and Mrs. Williams.(1952)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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James Earl Carter, former Governor of Georgia and presidential candidate campaigns at UAW Local 174. (1976) All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

James Earl Carter, former Governor of Georgia and presidential candidate campaigns at UAW Local 174. (1976)

All photos courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
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