“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.”

The display, which opened Aug. 20 and will be open through Oct. 2, includes historical and contemporary photos, educational and archival video, engaging multimedia interactives with short games, and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.

The exhibit can be seen at the Monmouth Museum located on the Lincroft campus, building 10, off parking lot 1. The free exhibition is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
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?
Whose voices will be heard?
How do you participate as a citizen?
How do we encourage more people to participate in our democracy?
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories. Our democracy demands action, reaction, vision, and revision. From revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story – the story of democracy in America.
What to Expect
Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, Voices and Votes is based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. Content development was led by Harry Rubenstein, Curator Emeritus in the Division of Political History at the National Museum of American History. Voices and Votes has many dynamic features: historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos, and information; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
Participants include the following organizations and individuals; Monmouth County Historical Association, Monmouth University Polling Institute, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Northern Monmouth County Branch (NMCB), T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, Energizing Young Voters, and contributions by Brookdale Community College Professors. There are works by the artist Gary Erbe and Dong Kyu Kim as well as a collection of youth art postcards presented by artthevote.org, in conjunction with The League of Women Voters.