Newcastle Local Studies Library

Prior to 1832, in boroughs there was no fixed qualifications for the franchise eligibility for which depended on local circumstances and tradition. In Newcastle, for example voting was limited to freemen.

The 1832 Reform Act added householders of property of £10.00 (pounds) or more in annual value in towns and £10.00 (pounds) copyholders and others in counties. In 1867 the vote was extended to all householders who had been in residence for at least one year and to all lodgers paying £10.00 (pounds) a year or more (in boroughs), in counties to all occupiers of houses rated at £12.00 (pounds) or more and all householders with property of at least £4.00 (pounds) annual value. In 1884 the county franchise was brought into line with the boroughs. Even then only 59% of the adult male population could vote. Women could, of course vote if they had the relevant property gualifications. In 1918 the property qualification was abolished and all men, and women aged 30 and over were enfranchised. In 1928 women were enfranchised at age 21 and over; male and female adult franchise was achieved. Plural voting (e.g. a vote for the home and for the place of business) was abolished in 1948. The voting age was lowered to 18 in 1969.

These were required to be published after 1832. They list every person qualified to vote, give addresses and (before 1918) details of the property giving the qualification. As the franchise extended (see above) so electoral registers listed greater proportion of individuals. They were issued under various names and until 1918 those for local elections differed from those for parliamentary elections but for the purpose of this list no distinction is made. The Local Studies Collection contains the following:-

• DURHAM
  • 1871

• DURHAM COUNTY
  • 1832-33, 1969-1983 (alternate years).

• NEWCASTLE
  • 1832, 1834, 1835, 1835-36, 1836, 1836-37, 1837-38, 1838, 1839, 1847, 1848, 1851, 1853, 1854-55#, 1855-56#, 1856-57#, 1857-58#, 1858-59#, 1864-65, 1867-68, 1868-69, 1870, 1872, 1875, 1877, 1880-81 to 1914-l5, 1918-19 to 1939-40, 1945 to date.

• NORTHUMBERLAND
  • 1832, 1886 (Berwick, Hexham, Wansbeck Divisions only); 1887 (Tyneside Division only); 1888 (Berwick and Tyneside Division only); 1890, 1891, 1892, 1904, 1963, 1964, 1969-1983 (alternate years).

• SUNDERLAND
  • 1832, 1835 (part only)

• TYNE & WEAR
  • 1974-1983 (alternate years); 1984-1987.

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Poll Books were authorised by an Act of Parliament of 1696 and were published until 1871 - secret voting was established in 1872. They were issued only after contested Parliamentary elections and only when there was a local demand. Information contained in them varies: always name and vote, and sometimes addresses and occupations. The Local Studies Collection contains the following:-

• DURHAM
  • 1802, 1813, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1837, 1843 (April), 1843, (July), 1847, l852, l87l.

• DURHAM COUNTY
  • 1790, 1802, 1820, 1832,1837 (Narthern Division only), 1941 (Southern Division only), 1857 (Southern Division only), 1865 (Northern Division only), 1868.

• GATESHEAD
  • 1837, 1852

• NEWCASTLE
  • 1715, 1722, 1734, 1741, 1774, 1777, 1780, 1800, 1820, 1830, 1832, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1847, 1852, 1859 (April), 1859 (June).

• NORTHUMBERLAND
  • 1705, 1710, 1715, 1721, 1722, 1734, 1747-48, 1774, 1826, 1832, 1841 (Northern Division only), 1847 (Northern Division only), 1852.

• SUNDERLAND
  • 1833.

February 1989

City of Newcastle upon Tyne
Leisure Services Department

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