 They estimated the number of voters at about 500 (unchanged from Sedgwick's estimate for the earlier part of the century).In 1754-1790, despite the comparatively large electorate, the constituency was under the control of the Earl of Exeter (the head of the senior branch of the House of Cecil) and elections were uncontested formalities.The Reform Act replaced the scot and lot franchise with an occupation franchise, which slightly reduced the size of the electorate.