Wakefield Museums and Castles

This box marks a key moment in British history. It was used in the first election of a Member of Parliament by secret ballot. The election took place in Pontefract in August 1872.

Until then all votes for MPs had been cast in public. This risked corruption. Voters could be bribed or threatened.

When only a small elite could vote, this was not such a big problem. Voters were rich and powerful enough to resist threats.

But in the 1800s, the number of people who were allowed to vote grew. Now, some poorer and less powerful people could vote. They could be influenced by their employer or landlord. 

Violence, threats and bribes were common in the 1868 General Election. In response, Parliament passed a law to hold secret ballots for a trial period. The first election after the law passed happened to be a by-election in Pontefract.

And so Pontefract found itself making political history. The trial secret ballot was a great success. The election was much less drunken and rowdy than usual.

The new method of voting became the standard. We still use it for elections today.