Final answer:
The Progressive movement sought the adoption of secret ballots to combat political corruption and voter intimidation by ensuring privacy in voting, which was crucial for a fair and democratic electoral process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Progressives Wanted Secret Ballots
The Progressive movement aimed to address and rectify political corruption and the undue influence of powerful political machines in elections. One of the key reforms they advocated for was the adoption of the secret ballot, also known as the Australian ballot. Prior to this reform, ballots were often printed on colored paper by political parties themselves, without offering the option to vote across party lines (known as split-ticket voting) and making the voter’s choice visible to others. This lack of privacy in voting led to widespread voter coercion and intimidation. By advocating for secret ballots, Progressives sought to ensure that voters could cast their votes without outside pressure, thereby making the electoral process more democratic and less susceptible to manipulation by political machines.
The secret ballots also shifted the power dynamics in voting, as voters were no longer publicly accountable to employers, landlords, or the political machines that had previously exploited the public balloting to their advantage. Implementing secret ballots helped curb electoral fraud and made it more difficult for corrupt entities to verify if their bribes or threats successfully influenced voters' choices.
This reform was part of a broader effort to democratize the electoral process and make it fairer for all citizens. Ultimately, the secret ballots helped reinforce the idea of voting as a private and personal civic duty, untainted by external influence. This change was crucial in the fight against the corruption that plagues the electoral process and to promote a more equitable political system.