Fun and games with ballot papers

[LMcD]

So leave does not mean leave after all. What a surprise, a bit like the bogus claim that Johnson would get withdrawal from the European Union by the end of January 2010. One notes that Anastasius has just posted on the very thread she or he claimed to have intended immediate unsubscribing from.

That's a pretty ambitious target!

[Dave2002]

I'm not quite sure that a Tory government would spell the end of civilisation! - we are not the only country in the world and, besides, it is up to us as individuals to protect the planet: the situation is far too serious to be left to governments (especially, dare I add, socialist governments that promise the earth (sic) and always fail.)

A hung parliament would probably be our best outcome - but, gosh, why can't Tories and Labour alike simply put aside their differences and work together in order truly to solve our problems (and provide us with a government that truly reflects the wishes of the people). A little bit of compromise goes a long way.

I am slightly surprised at this, as having declared your intention to support BoJo and his outfit, you then suggest that you'd perhaps be happiest with a hung parliament.

For information - and not necessarily the benefit of others - I have in the past voted Conservative, Labour, Liberal, SDP, Liberal Democrat and I think also Green. These are not necessarily in chronological order. On no occasion have my votes succeeded in getting any of the candidates I chose elected. I think it'll probably be the same this time.

I think the Monster Raving Looney party still exists - I've never voted for one of them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offici...ng_Loony_Party maybe I would if I could.

[oddoneout]

I am slightly surprised at this, as having declared your intention to support BoJo and his outfit, you then suggest that you'd perhaps be happiest with a hung parliament.

For information - and not necessarily the benefit of others - I have in the past voted Conservative, Labour, Liberal, SDP, Liberal Democrat and I think also Green. These are not necessarily in chronological order. On no occasion have my votes succeeded in getting any of the candidates I chose elected. I think it'll probably be the same this time.

I think the Monster Raving Looney party still exists - I've never voted for one of them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offici...ng_Loony_Party maybe I would if I could.

It strikes me as a useful and more telling alternative to spoiling a ballot paper by writing 'None of the above' on it. Casting a vote for MRLP could be seen as a comment by the voter on the unsatisfactory nature of the other candidates/parties presented. I would be tempted if the opportunity arose.

[Dave2002]

It strikes me as a useful and more telling alternative to spoiling a ballot paper by writing 'None of the above' on it. Casting a vote for MRLP could be seen as a comment by the voter on the unsatisfactory nature of the other candidates/parties presented. I would be tempted if the opportunity arose.

Unfortunately MRLP opportunities are rare or very localised.

[Pulcinella]

Am I right in thinking that spoiled papers no longer get counted and reported, and that therefore the percentage values given for each candidate are actually false (if they are worked out as a proportion of counted votes not total number of papers issued)?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Am I right in thinking that spoiled papers no longer get counted and reported?

Not according to this article in today's online i:

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/spoil-ballot-paper-how-spoiling-vote-general-election-illegal-what-happens-1338327

If you choose to spoil your ballot, it will be invalid and not count towards any of the candidates. However it will be counted alongside other invalid papers and announced in the election votes.

[Pulcinella]

Not according to this article in today's online i:

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/sp...appens-1338327

That's reassuring to see.
I wonder how many results will feature the spoiled counts, though.
I'm not sure that I have ever heard a returning officer give the number.

However, this bit of the article is a little alarming!

But using something other than a cross next to a candidate might not count as a spoilt ballot. For example if you decide to draw a penis inside the box, that could be considered as a valid vote for the candidate.

:eek:

[oddoneout]

Am I right in thinking that spoiled papers no longer get counted and reported, and that therefore the percentage values given for each candidate are actually false (if they are worked out as a proportion of counted votes not total number of papers issued)?

The instruction book!

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/UKPE-doubtfuls-booklet.pdf

Fortunately for those who are unable to function without the support of social media the 1983 Representation of the People Act has been updated to cover the photographing and publishing of ballot papers(it's supposed to be a secret ballot after all), so although not advised, for the most part it would seem it does not risk prosecution.

[Bryn]

The instruction book!

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/UKPE-doubtfuls-booklet.pdf

Fortunately for those who are unable to function without the support of social media the 1983 Representation of the People Act has been updated to cover the photographing and publishing of ballot papers(it's supposed to be a secret ballot after all), so although not advised, for the most part it would seem it does not risk prosecution.

Interesting. Just a few minutes ago I heard it stated with authority that taking any form of photograph within a polling station is illegal.

[Bryn]

That's a pretty ambitious target!

Oops! Thanks. Duly corrected.

[oddoneout]

That's reassuring to see.
I wonder how many results will feature the spoiled counts, though.
I'm not sure that I have ever heard a returning officer give the number.

However, this bit of the article is a little alarming!



:eek:

But using something other than a cross next to a candidate might not count as a spoiled ballot. For example if you decide to draw a penis inside the box, that could be considered as a valid vote for the candidate.

It would be classed under 'intention of the voter'...
Presumably if the vote was very close details might appear about rejected papers. This is the national report for 2017

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/elections-and-referendums/past-elections-and-referendums/uk-general-elections/results-and-turnout-2017-uk-general-election

Some areas had very high levels of rejected votes in the May 2019 local elections which local press picked up on in some cases.

[oddoneout]

Interesting. Just a few minutes ago I heard it stated with authority that taking any form of photograph within a pollong station is illegal.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/06/08/illegal-post-election-vote-facebook-twitter/

[cloughie]

Unsubscribe from the topic, muppet.

Not sure ‘muppet’ is a very pleasant term to use. You may not agree with someone but please refrain from being nasty!

[oddoneout]

I recently finished reading 'Postcards to Europe', a collection of writings about what Europe means to various people. It included a piece by Jacob Rees-Mogg called "What the Wise Men promised", from which this is taken.
"Even the different voting systems in the UK and on the Continent change the relationship between the people and the rulers. Here the constituency system combined with first past the post creates a direct link and may lead to dramatic change. In proportional systems it is much harder to move away from the status quo, there is always some continuity in government regardless of what the voters have to say and those at the top of the list are secure in their positions"

[Pulcinella]

I recently finished reading 'Postcards to Europe', a collection of writings about what Europe means to various people. It included a piece by Jacob Rees-Mogg called "What the Wise Men promised", from which this is taken.
"Even the different voting systems in the UK and on the Continent change the relationship between the people and the rulers. Here the constituency system combined with first past the post creates a direct link and may lead to dramatic change. In proportional systems it is much harder to move away from the status quo, there is always some continuity in government regardless of what the voters have to say and those at the top of the list are secure in their positions"

Interesting choice of language!
I thought that we were ruled by the queen, and we don't (yet) get to vote for royalty.