Part 4/8:

The notion of election cake is deeply intertwined with the rituals of early American elections. The first mention of it dates back to 1771 in Hartford, and it quickly began to symbolize the social and political life of the time. In the absence of extravagant holidays like Christmas, Puritan communities developed their own celebrations around mustering and voting, making election day a time of camaraderie and communal eating.

Election cakes were often baked in vast quantities to serve the community, reflecting both local pride and unity. In the live presentation, one historic account described election day in the 1800s: houses were immaculately prepared, parents dressed their children in their Sunday best, and generous servings of cake awaited those who came to vote.