Electoral Rolls
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:56 pmElectoral rolls or registers
These are the lists of individuals who are entitled to vote and have registered themselves as such - they are never entirely complete because significant numbers of people do not register.
They are found from the mid-19th century onwards in increasing numbers and increasing bulk: their size grew rapidly as the franchise was widened. After 1885 most adult males are likely to be included, from the 1890s some women (who could vote in local elections but not parliamentary ones) and from 1918 most women over 30.
Finally, from 1928, virtually all adults could vote in all elections, and electoral registers are very large. However, they may not have survived, since their very size meant that they were often thrown away when they were no longer current, but local studies libraries and record offices should have collections. They are very helpful in listing the presence of individuals and their addresses, though other personal details are not given
These are the lists of individuals who are entitled to vote and have registered themselves as such - they are never entirely complete because significant numbers of people do not register.
They are found from the mid-19th century onwards in increasing numbers and increasing bulk: their size grew rapidly as the franchise was widened. After 1885 most adult males are likely to be included, from the 1890s some women (who could vote in local elections but not parliamentary ones) and from 1918 most women over 30.
Finally, from 1928, virtually all adults could vote in all elections, and electoral registers are very large. However, they may not have survived, since their very size meant that they were often thrown away when they were no longer current, but local studies libraries and record offices should have collections. They are very helpful in listing the presence of individuals and their addresses, though other personal details are not given
