 Williams suggested that McKinley 's campaign of education of the voter through speakers and literature brought him victory , but with a cost to the close identification between voters and the political parties that was typical in the 19th century . Voter turnout was almost 80 percent in 1896 , about average for presidential elections in the late 19th century , but then dropped substantially and remained at lower levels as voters , who once participated in rallies and torchlight processions for candidates , were distracted by radio and by professional sports . Nevertheless , later campaigns tried to recapture the magic of 1896 ; Warren G. Harding conducted his own front porch campaign in 1920 , even borrowing the flagpole from McKinley 's old front yard . 
