The Electoral system in England was administered by Parish units, developed through the years and transferring power from the Church to elected secular officers and Members of Parliament. Old Stratford was included in the parish of Cosgrove from Watling Street, eastwards, to Cosgrove village. People living on the west side of Watling Street were included in the parish of Passenham.

Records below show the whole of the parish of Cosgrove and include those Old Stratford people who lived on the east side of Watling Street. Also recorded are people entitled to vote because they owned property or land in the parish of Cosgrove, but they themselves lived elsewhere. It is possible that people failed to register for the electoral roll during some years, and qualified under more than one category in others - thus appearing twice. It is not clear whether they voted more than once!

The first Electoral Roll is dated 1833, but only occupiers of property of over £50 were included on the voting list.
In 1886 all male householders were included, but also included some women if they were in business.
It was not until 1919 that women appeared on the electoral rolls in their own right.