Some points to consider re. electoral registers Millmoor replies #22 & 27, Daisynook #35.
Representation of the People Act 1867 (Second Reform Act)
Enfranchised part of the urban male working class in England & Wales.
Representation of the People Act 1884 (Third Reform Act)
After 1885 the occupation franchise was similar in all types of constituency.
"Parliamentary Franchise: - Boroughs: - The Occupation Franchise:
b) Householder - owner or tenant for 12 months previous to 15th July
N.B. Successive Occupation: If 2 or more premises in the same borough ... are occupied in immediate succession, the vote is not thereby lost. If the occupier is omitted from the list, a claim should be sent to the overseer by 20th August, giving particulars of all the premises so occupied."
(Above is from Wiki articles on electoral reform.)
Electoral registers are always out of date due to the gap between compilation and publication.
William Mather may have been enfranchised as a result of 1867 Reform Act or 1884 Reform Act depending on when he qualified as an occupier.
