A locally compiled list of men who were able to vote in elections dating from the seventeenth century through to the nineteenth century.

Qualification to vote in parliamentary elections was linked to land ownership, which meant that only a small number could vote.  The Poll Book was a list of those entitled to vote, and the candidate for whom they voted.  The secret ballot was not introduced until 1872, which meant the Poll Books made it possible to see how the electorate cast their votes.