Prior to the Progressive Era, you didn't have a secret ballot. You proudly stated your choices for office to the county clerk who maintained a tally sheet. Supporters of the men you voted for would take you aside for a drink of wine, beer or a concoction known as "punch." Today we would serve such a drink with a paper umbrella, and the sugar disguised the alcohol in the drink. It packed quite a wallop.
And back then polling places were the sites of wild parties with drinking and singing.