Election Results / Election wagers
One hundred years ago today … Three days after the November 2 election, ballots were still being counted in New York, though the major races, for President, Governor, and Senator, were landslides and thus not in doubt.
New York Tribune, 5 November 1920, p. 5. Chronicling America.
A state proposition on the ballot to benefit veterans appeared to have won big, helped by a strong showing in Staten Island. Even “yeowomen and marinettes” were included in the rlls of who would receive the benefit.
New York Tribune, 5 November 1920, p. 1. Chronicling America.
Other results of the election were reported by the News: wagers that led to public displays. In one case, two women had to kiss a police officer repeatedly on Broadway. Another woman had to endure the shame of sweeping the street. And in one case, horrific in its racism, Broadway star William Kent had to push a stroller with a "negro baby" inside.
New York Daily News, 5 November 1920, p. 10. Chronicling America.
Election bets with the losers having to perform an embarrassing act were a thing, according to Keith Romer’s 2015 radio report, “The Strange History Of Betting On Elections: It Wasn't Just About Money.”
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN GOLDMAN, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
TAGS: elections, politics, Democrats, Republicans, journalism, newspapers, racism, betting