O/T - None Of The Above [NOTA]

[jbc.shrimp]

Spoilt voting papers! Well that’s ok just be careful what you write on them, you can be prosecuted!!

How can they prosecute somebody if they don't know who you are ? Your name doesn't go on the ballot paper !

[Gone_Shrimping]

I personally have always voted, bar the one time Leeds City Council changed the opening time of my local polling station too late for me to rearrange work commitments. That being said, until fairly recently, I have always voted tactically, because there was no party I wanted to vote for, therefore choosing the 'least worst' option among those who had a chance of winning. I totally understand why this time around people seem more disaffected by it all than ever, butI would just say that, if you don't vote at all, what right do you have to complain about what you get? Please, if you don't want to vote for who you think has a chance of winning, at least vote either for a smaller party (little choice for us) or spoil your ballot, as has been suggested. Please don't just stay at home, because the message to whoever is in government then is much weaker.

I would have thought that if people do stay at home , the lower the turnout is , then the message is that they have less authority which would be a good thing IMHO.

[Keith]

I personally have always voted, bar the one time Leeds City Council changed the opening time of my local polling station too late for me to rearrange work commitments. That being said, until fairly recently, I have always voted tactically, because there was no party I wanted to vote for, therefore choosing the 'least worst' option among those who had a chance of winning. I totally understand why this time around people seem more disaffected by it all than ever, butI would just say that, if you don't vote at all, what right do you have to complain about what you get? Please, if you don't want to vote for who you think has a chance of winning, at least vote either for a smaller party (little choice for us) or spoil your ballot, as has been suggested. Please don't just stay at home, because the message to whoever is in government then is much weaker.

I would have thought that if people do stay at home , the lower the turnout is , then the message is that they have less authority which would be a good thing IMHO.

Apathy is simply apathy, and can be easily ignored.

A spoiled vote is counted as an act of saying you don't like any options.

Turn out, write "none of you" or similar, and have your voice counted. Or, vote for a minority/independent candidate, who has zero chance of being elected. Also, that way, you still have the moral position to complain going forwards.

Stay home, don't moan.

[KenH]

Spoilt voting papers! Well that’s ok just be careful what you write on them, you can be prosecuted!!

How can they prosecute somebody if they don't know who you are ? Your name doesn't go on the ballot paper !

Each ballot paper is numbered and they write the number against your name/address when they gave you the ballot paper at the desk. So, all votes are capable of being traced. In practice, there is segregation/division between the people with access to the ballot papers and the people with access to the lists, so there needs to be formal approval for such a trace to actually happen - it's not something that random ballot counters/poll station clerks can do.

[Billy bodger]

Spoilt voting papers! Well that’s ok just be careful what you write on them, you can be prosecuted!!

How can they prosecute somebody if they don't know who you are ? Your name doesn't go on the ballot paper !

Each ballot paper is numbered and they write the number against your name/address when they gave you the ballot paper at the desk. So, all votes are capable of being traced. In practice, there is segregation/division between the people with access to the ballot papers and the people with access to the lists, so there needs to be formal approval for such a trace to actually happen - it's not something that random ballot counters/poll station clerks can do.

So ultimately your vote isn’t secret.

[Keith]

Each ballot paper is numbered and they write the number against your name/address when they gave you the ballot paper at the desk. So, all votes are capable of being traced. In practice, there is segregation/division between the people with access to the ballot papers and the people with access to the lists, so there needs to be formal approval for such a trace to actually happen - it's not something that random ballot counters/poll station clerks can do.

So ultimately your vote isn’t secret.

Well, yes and no. Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 the boxes containing the ballots are sealed, then kept for 12 months. The seal can only be broken with an order by the High Court or Parliament. Writing something offensive on a voting slip would not be taken to the High Court. I suppose if someone threatened the lives of candidates, and was considered a credible threat, then perhaps.