What are poll books?
- Poll books were produced during the period when how an
individual voted was public knowledge, before the secret ballot was introduced
in 1872
- They list the names of the men who voted in parliamentary
elections, their parish of
residence and the candidates for whom they voted
- Poll books may also state the elector's exact address and,
if different, the address of the property that gave him the right to vote
- During the period of poll books, the right to vote was
held by only a limited number of men and by no women at all
- For information on who had the right to vote and on how
the right was gradually extended, starting with the Great Reform Act of 1832,
see the National Archives page
Getting the vote
- See also Electoral Registers
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Page last updated: 15th September 2011
