Voting in Elections
Nottingham poll book 1826 (reference: Belper Library, RB/34.12)
The poll book records votes cast in parliamentary elections. These printed books record information on an election campaign, including details on the candidates standing for election, and list all the individuals who voted, including who they voted for. Secret balloting was not introduced until 1872.
To vote in parliamentary elections in the early nineteenth century it was necessary to be either a burgess or a freeholder. George Africanus was never a burgess, but he was a freeholder because he owned property. He therefore had the right to vote.
This 1826 poll book shows that George voted for 'W'. This candidate was John Smith Wright of Rempstone in Nottinghamshire. John Smith Wright favoured the abolition of slavery, but was not returned to Parliament.
Find out more...
- Larger version of the poll book: follow this link to see this page of the poll book in more detail [PDF 543KB]
- More about the 1826 election: slavery was a major issue at this campaign. Find out more about it here
- George Africanus and property: find out more about the property that George owned
- Terminology: find out about some of the terms used in elections and poll books
- Further information: explore other web sites and online resources
What do you think about this document? Contact us
