Secessionists were traitors by definition. Of course they weren't allowed to vote. Your interpretation is not supported by reputable historians. President Lincoln did not try to fix the election. In fact, he was at one point convinced he would lose.
Walt
An article before us states that more than one half the Ohio soldiers refused to vote in October 1863, and the following may and no doubt does, show a good reason for their reticence.
Capt. Benj. F. Sells, of the 122d Ohio V., Company D, was arrested on the 1st of October, on the
"Charge -- conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline."
And from the specifications we take the following:
"Specification 4th. In this, that he, the said Captain B. F. Sells, 'D' Company, 122d O. V. I., in the service of the U.S.; did utter and use the following language, to wit: I am going to vote for Vallandigham, and so are all my company, except a few, or words to that effect. This at or near Martinsburg, Va., on or about the 13th day of August, 1863."
(Signed)
ORLANDO C. FARQUAR,
Capt. Co. G, 122d Regt. O. V. I.
The Logic of History, Stephen D. Carpenter, 2 Ed., 1864, p. 286.