Annie Bidwell was featured in a short instructional film in 1914 showing the citizens of Butte County how to cast their ballot in the November election.

On the ballot was a measure to move the county seat from Oroville to Chico. Reasons? Chico had grown in population, it was easily accessible to a greater number of county residents, and it would be cheaper to build a new courthouse in Chico (with city help) than in Oroville.

Voting for this measure required more than just marking a box next to the proposition. Writing in the name of the town was also needed, which is why proponents of the measure thought that a little bit of instruction was in order.

The film showed Mrs. Bidwell exiting from her home, being greeted by election clerks, receiving her ballot, and entering the voting booth. It shows “Question No. 49” on the ballot, and then a shot of Annie stamping an X by “Yes” and writing in the word “Chico.” She then exits the booth, hands over her ballot, and bows to the camera.

I am pretty sure that the film is made up of still photos, and so is not actually a “moving picture.” The film was shown around Butte County at meetings promoting the removal of the county seat from Oroville to Chico. In Chico it was shown in three theaters: the Majestic (now the El Rey), the Broadway and the Lyric.

The measure did not pass. A two-thirds vote was required and that bar was not met. The county seat remained in Oroville.

Alas, the film did not survive, so we do not get to see Annie in action. But it is interesting that she was willing to keep up with the times and take part in the latest technology.

By the way, if, after the meeting and the short film, you stuck around for the show, here is what was playing at the Majestic that week in October 1914. It sounds like a stage play rather than a movie.