On February 14, 1899, the U.S. Congress approved the use of voting machines for federal elections, reflecting a significant advancement in the electoral process. This move was prompted by a growing concern over the efficiency and security of traditional paper ballots, which were often susceptible to fraud and miscounting, and which posed difficulties in ensuring voter privacy. The introduction of voting machines aimed to streamline the voting process, enhance accuracy, and increase voter confidence in election outcomes. Various types of machines, such as lever machines, were being developed and tested across states, demonstrating different technological approaches to facilitate voting.

The approval by Congress led to the establishment of standards for these machines and encouraged states to adopt them in their elections. While the technology was still in its infancy, it represented a larger trend toward modernization and technological intervention in governmental processes. Cities like New York and Chicago began experimenting with these machines to gauge their feasibility in local elections prior to wider adoption. This shift was seen as part of the Progressive Era reforms aimed at reducing electoral manipulation and increasing voter participation.

As states began to implement voting machines in their electoral systems, debates arose about their reliability and accessibility. Concerns regarding the maintenance of these machines and their accessibility for all voters often influenced public opinion and political discourse. Through a combination of legislative action and public support, voting machines slowly gained acceptance, setting the stage for future innovations in voting technology.