Householder Franchise


Householder Franchise or census suffrage is where a homeowner has the right to vote in an election. This is a limited form of suffrage, but different from equal voting because, to borrow a dictum, householder franchise is one Household, one vote because it entitles only the householder one vote.

History

The Reform [Act 1832|1832 Reform Act] expanded the number of voters in the United Kingdom. In the boroughs the right of voting was vested in all householders paying a yearly rental of £10 and, subject to one year residence qualification £10 lodgers.
In the counties, the franchise was granted to:
  1. 40 shilling freeholders
  2. £10 copyholders
  3. £50 tenants
  4. £10 long lease holders
  5. £50 medium lease holders
Borough freeholders could vote in the counties if their freehold was between 40 shillings and £10, or if it was over £10 and occupied by a tenant.