Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

Indiana's journal entry for January 2, 1961, includes a sketch of Election (later retitled Electi), with notes recording the addition of red and blue to the shields, and gesso to the section with the text. He writes "going on [to] 'Election' is now easy; my commemoration of Kennedy's victory."

Indiana also records having dinner with artists Stephen and Barbara Durkee, and that after they returned to his loft for coffee.