|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Election Rituals
|
Sarasa
Shipmate
# 12271
|
Posted
There is a General Election coming up in the UK next week, and I was wondering if anyone else had a set of rituals they followed every time there's an election?
In our house we watch Duck Soup and drink something fizzy. It all started in 1992 when we'd brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate what we thought would be a Labour victory. We drank it anyway and then Channel 4 played Duck Soup at about 2 in the morning which cheered us up despite everything, so we've done the same every time since.
I love the anarchy of the Marx Brothers and the great lines such as 'If you think the country'a bad off now just wait till I get through with it.
--------------------
'I guess things didn't go so well tonight, but I'm trying. Lord, I'm trying.' Charlie (Harvey Keitel) in Mean Streets.
Posts: 2035 | From: London | Registered: Jan 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
|
Posted
No great rituals here, but I have a plan.
The election falls on working day 5, which is the busiest day of the month for me at work. I'll probably be working 8:30am-8pm. But I like watching the results come in.
That said, I get very frustrated by the long gaps early in the evening hours when there's lots on unenlightening speculation.
So the plan is to get up early and vote as soon as the polling station is open. I'll then head to work and have an awful day. On getting home at about 9ish, I'll go straight to bed and aim to get up at 3:30am (this is where my plan my well fall to pieces), watching the results when they actually become available.
I'll then get the bus to work, which takes me through Parliament Square, up Whitehall, past Downing Street, etc. So I'll see what I can see.
--------------------
I try to be self-deprecating; I'm just not very good at it.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAlethiophile
Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mili
Shipmate
# 3254
|
Posted
Elections here are always on a Saturday and voting is compulsory so nearly so there are voting booths close to everyone. My ritual is to walk to the booth and vote fairly early in the morning- not as soon as voting opens, but before the lines get too long. I grab 'how to vote cards' for the party I am voting for to use as a guide if I agree with their choices and politely decline those for other parties.
For the house of representatives we have to number each candidate from 1 onwards in order of preference. This is easy as each party only has one candidate to vote for, so not many boxes to fill. For the senate we can put a 1 for our party of choice above the line or number each candidate below the line. There are multiple candidates and lots of small, obscure parties represented. If I was a truly serious voter I would vote below the line. However I get a little anxious voting and worry enough about accidentally voting for the wrong person without filling in dozens of boxes, so I always vote above the line.
My local voting booths have always been at schools, so my after voting tradition is to grab a sausage in bread from the fundraiser sausage sizzle to eat on the way home.
I never watch the full results, but will check in on them on the internet during the evening. Usually we know the same night who has won, though two Federal elections ago it took days to find out which was nerve wracking. I was in Ethiopia that year with my parents (did an early vote that election). We kept ringing home and couldn't believe the results weren't known yet!
I also voted in a Federal election in London once at the Australian Embassy. No sausages, but the Labour Party volunteers handing out the how to vote cards gave out home made lamingtons.
Posts: 1015 | From: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: Aug 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mili:
Elections here are always on a Saturday and voting is compulsory so nearly so there are voting booths close to everyone. My ritual is to walk to the booth and vote fairly early in the morning- not as soon as voting opens, but before the lines get too long. I grab 'how to vote cards' for the party I am voting for to use as a guide if I agree with their choices and politely decline those for other parties. to fill.
My local voting booths have always been at schools, so my after voting tradition is to grab a sausage in bread from the fundraiser sausage sizzle to eat on the way home.
I also voted in a Federal election in London once at the Australian Embassy. No sausages, but the Labour Party volunteers handing out the how to vote cards gave out home made lamingtons.
Our motto on voting day is the old one of vote early, vote often and vote for the dead.
Around here, many booths are at schools but the one we often vote at is at a church. Not just a sausage sizzle, but cakes, jams, pickles and so forth are on sale to raise money for various causes. If I am charged with electoral fraud, I shall say that I attended 3 or 4 booths to give a wide range of support to charities.
--------------------
Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
|
Posted
I take a slight detour on my way to vote, to go past the grave of our local suffragette. A wee acknowledgement of gratitude.
When the kids were at home, I always insisted on taking them with me (including the suffragette grave stop), and telling them that it was both a privilege and a duty to vote, whilst they did the teenage sighing and rolling eyes thing.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Enoch
Shipmate
# 14322
|
Posted
What's a lamington? Is it some special sort of leaflet?
Interesting description of different ways of doing things. Fundraisers, tellers etc aren't allowed in polling stations and the usual owners of the building are excluded for the day from all of it or that part of it. So there would be no question of serving voters with food. It's also illegal for candidates or their parties to treat voters. So parties providing food would almost certainly infringe that.
A lot of us make a point of refusing to tell tellers who we are or which way we intend to vote. The tellers aren't usually too bad here, but in another town where I lived once, I thought they were seriously intimidating, glaring at you with a sort of 'you vote for our man or else' expression. I didn't.
--------------------
Brexit wrexit - Sir Graham Watson
Posts: 7610 | From: Bristol UK(was European Green Capital 2015, now Ljubljana) | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
maryjones
Shipmate
# 13523
|
Posted
I'm shocked! When I vote, I hand my card over if I've remembered where I put it. In any case, the tellers often know me.
NEVER has a teller or anybody else in the polling station asked me how I voted or tried to influence me. If they did, I'd report it.
As a teacher (now retired), I asked my pupils, every election, who they thought was the person who chose the one to rule the country. Some of their responses were interesting! They were startled when I told them that I do the choosing. W all agreed it's a good thing that I have some help!
Posts: 75 | From: Gloucestershire | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Boogie
Boogie on down!
# 13538
|
Posted
Our polling station is in the bowls hut in the park, so I walk the dogs down, vote - then the dogs get a lovely run in the park.
It's a very lovely park, here is a photo.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
--------------------
Garden. Room. Walk
Posts: 13030 | From: Boogie Wonderland | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Pigwidgeon
Ship's Owl
# 10192
|
Posted
I really can't remember the last time I voted at a polling place. I receive my ballot by mail (something which is being encouraged more and more), fill it in in the comfort of my own home, and either mail it back or drop it off at a designated place before or on Election Day.
--------------------
"...that is generally a matter for Pigwidgeon, several other consenting adults, a bottle of cheap Gin and the odd giraffe."
~Tortuf
Posts: 9835 | From: Hogwarts | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
I take a slight detour on my way to vote, to go past the grave of our local suffragette. A wee acknowledgement of gratitude.
When the kids were at home, I always insisted on taking them with me (including the suffragette grave stop), and telling them that it was both a privilege and a duty to vote, whilst they did the teenage sighing and rolling eyes thing.
I used to take my boys with me too, I find the act of voting (and remembering those who brought it about) quite emotional; I wouldn't want a postal vote. Now I get the eye rolling when I mention the suffragettes, especially as I recently did my history dissertation on whether ww1 delayed women getting the vote. I plan my essays by talking about the subject...
--------------------
'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
I take a slight detour on my way to vote, to go past the grave of our local suffragette. A wee acknowledgement of gratitude.
When the kids were at home, I always insisted on taking them with me (including the suffragette grave stop), and telling them that it was both a privilege and a duty to vote, whilst they did the teenage sighing and rolling eyes thing.
I used to take my boys with me too, I find the act of voting (and remembering those who brought it about) quite emotional; I wouldn't want a postal vote. Now I get the eye rolling when I mention the suffragettes, especially as I recently did my history dissertation on whether ww1 delayed women getting the vote. I plan my essays by talking about the subject...
I add something to that, as it was only in 1918 that the last property qualifications were abolished, so that all men over 21 could vote. Before then 40% of adult males had no vote, although some had more than one vote!
--------------------
"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:
I really can't remember the last time I voted at a polling place. I receive my ballot by mail (something which is being encouraged more and more), fill it in in the comfort of my own home, and either mail it back or drop it off at a designated place before or on Election Day.
I totally wouldn't trust that at all. I can just see it arriving late or not arriving at all. It may be old-fashioned to go and mark a cross with a pencil on a piece of paper in a polling booth, but it seems safer to me.
Election rituals? None really except that I plug in the earphones of my tiny pocket radio when I go to bed and get an idea periodically through the night of how things are going. Unless it looks like a clearcut result for a party I don't like, in which case I unplug and ignore it.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ricardus
Shipmate
# 8757
|
Posted
I knew someone who thought it would be a good idea to drink a shot-glass of beer every time a constituency result was announced.
It turned out not to be ...
--------------------
Then the dog ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail. -- Tobit 11:9 (Douai-Rheims)
Posts: 7247 | From: Liverpool, UK | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
|
Posted
Enoch, shame on you. A leaflet????? A lamington is a piece of cake, but a bit more difficult to make. Lamington drives used be great fundraisers at schools, at Saturday street stalls for a charity,and featured prominently on afternoon tea tables.
--------------------
Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Carex
Shipmate
# 9643
|
Posted
We also vote around the dining table. I get to read through the minutia of the various ballot initiatives (citizen-proposed legislation that goes directly to the voters rather than through the legislature) and explain them to the Other Carex, then we mark our ballots, place them in envelopes, and drop them off the next day in the ballot box at the library. Typically this happens about 10 days before "Election Day".
If I have any concerns whether the ballot was received, I can check the county election website, and have time to receive a spare, or vote in person, if it gets lost.
I hate watching the results trickle in, where the TV stations have to fill too much time with too little news.
Posts: 1425 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jane R
Shipmate
# 331
|
Posted
Enoch said: quote:
A lot of us make a point of refusing to tell tellers who we are or which way we intend to vote. The tellers aren't usually too bad here, but in another town where I lived once, I thought they were seriously intimidating, glaring at you with a sort of 'you vote for our man or else' expression. I didn't.
Are they really tellers? I thought they were representatives of political parties charged with the job of 'getting out the vote'. So if you've promised to vote for a specific party, you tell them who you are and they tick you off their list, and if it's getting towards 10pm (when the polls close) and you haven't voted yet they send someone round to ask if you want 'help' getting to the polling station.
They are not allowed inside the building and have to huddle outside on the doorstep in all weathers; I'd feel sorry for them if I didn't find them so annoying. As I never promise to vote for anyone (it only encourages them) I always refuse to tell them who I am.
The people actually inside the polling station handing out voting forms are officially neutral and are entitled to ask who you are. I've never been asked by one of them who I'm planning to vote for.
Posts: 3958 | From: Jorvik | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
|
Posted
I usually know the people huddled at our polling station door, it's the sort of area where everyone knows each other. I'm happy to provide my details to them, though I don't say who I am voting for as it would seem quite rude to the opposition (but I do when the lib dems come round). If I haven't voted by 10am the local lib dems call on me!
--------------------
'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
|
Posted
At the last European elections, there was someone hanging around just outside the polling station with a party rosette on who asked me for my name and address as I walked in.
I asked if it was necessary, they replied 'no' so I refused. Yet the electoral commission make it very difficult to complain. On their website they just direct you to the local council, but the local council don't have a complaints mechanism readily set up.
At the last general election, I voted after work, when I'd inadvertently put on a blue tie. Various folks in rosettes were stood by the door I saw the red rosette wearer nod to the blue rosette wearer and heard them say "one of yours". How wrong they were!
--------------------
I try to be self-deprecating; I'm just not very good at it.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAlethiophile
Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Enoch
Shipmate
# 14322
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Jane R:
Are they really tellers? I thought they were representatives of political parties charged with the job of 'getting out the vote'.
That's what a teller is. And you are right that they aren't allowed inside except for how long it takes them to cast their own vote if it's their polling station.
The ones inside the polling station are poll clerks. They are strictly and rigorously neutral. I've been a poll clerk and they take that very seriously. They are not allowed to ask you who you intend to vote for. It is none of their business. Nor are they allowed to try to influence you.
They are required to ask who you are, and you are required to answer. If you have your poll card with you, this is usually done by asking them in some way to confirm they are the person whose name is on the card
It is a criminal offence to impersonate someone.
Although you don't have to have your poll card with you to vote, it does make life an awful lot easier for you and the staff if you do. Since most people bring theirs with them, it does leave one wondering why some people don't.
--------------------
Brexit wrexit - Sir Graham Watson
Posts: 7610 | From: Bristol UK(was European Green Capital 2015, now Ljubljana) | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Garasu
Shipmate
# 17152
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Enoch:
Although you don't have to have your poll card with you to vote, it does make life an awful lot easier for you and the staff if you do. Since most people bring theirs with them, it does leave one wondering why some people don't.
Because it arrives months before it's needed and by the time you're rushing out of the house on a Thursday morning you've lost it?
--------------------
"Could I believe in the doctrine without believing in the deity?". - Modesitt, L. E., Jr., 1943- Imager.
Posts: 889 | From: Surrey Heath (England) | Registered: Jun 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Adeodatus
Shipmate
# 4992
|
Posted
Ever since 1997, I've watched the tv coverage to see if there might be another "Portillo Moment". Till now there hasn't been, but this year I have big hopes for Mick Clegg's constituency.
--------------------
"What is broken, repair with gold."
Posts: 9779 | From: Manchester | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sipech
Shipmate
# 16870
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
Ever since 1997, I've watched the tv coverage to see if there might be another "Portillo Moment". Till now there hasn't been, but this year I have big hopes for Mick Clegg's constituency.
And Danny "Beaker" Alexander.
*meep*
--------------------
I try to be self-deprecating; I'm just not very good at it.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAlethiophile
Posts: 3791 | From: On the corporate ladder | Registered: Jan 2012
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sparrow
Shipmate
# 2458
|
Posted
I've never been asked by the people outside the polling station who I intend to vote for, but they do sometimes ask for my polling card - I always refuse to give it to them, it's none of their business and I don't see why they want it.
I usually go early, even though I am now retired - always used to go on the way to work. However this time round for the first time ever I have a postal vote as I will be away next week.
--------------------
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life,nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Posts: 3149 | From: Bottom right hand corner of the UK | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
betjemaniac
Shipmate
# 17618
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
Ever since 1997, I've watched the tv coverage to see if there might be another "Portillo Moment". Till now there hasn't been, but this year I have big hopes for Mick Clegg's constituency.
The most amusing potential one this time around, probably for all sides frankly, is Morley and Outwood. Keep half an eye on that result - if nothing else it could precipitate the fastest kicking upstairs to the Lords of a newly elected Labour MP in a long while in the scramble to get Ed Balls back into Parliament.
--------------------
And is it true? For if it is....
Posts: 1481 | From: behind the dreaming spires | Registered: Mar 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
betjemaniac
Shipmate
# 17618
|
Posted
Incidentally Ed Balls really has been the invisible man in this campaign hasn't he?
Can't think why...
But the vanishing act is certainly impressive.
--------------------
And is it true? For if it is....
Posts: 1481 | From: behind the dreaming spires | Registered: Mar 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
leo
Shipmate
# 1458
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sparrow:
I've never been asked by the people outside the polling station who I intend to vote for, but they do sometimes ask for my polling card - I always refuse to give it to them, it's none of their business and I don't see why they want it.
They want it so that they can tick you off their list so as not to ring your doorbell latwer on to persuade you to vote.
--------------------
My Jewish-positive lectionary blog is at http://recognisingjewishrootsinthelectionary.wordpress.com/
My reviews at http://layreadersbookreviews.wordpress.com
Posts: 23198 | From: Bristol | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Heavenly Anarchist
Shipmate
# 13313
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Adeodatus:
Ever since 1997, I've watched the tv coverage to see if there might be another "Portillo Moment". Till now there hasn't been, but this year I have big hopes for Mick Clegg's constituency.
A relative of my husband stood in Enfield for a minor party in 1997. My husband has a wonderful photo of Portillo's face when he heard the outcome.
I think you are right about Clegg being the likeliest to do a Portillo this year.
--------------------
'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams
Dog Activity Monitor
My shop
Posts: 2831 | From: Trumpington | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
MrsBeaky
Shipmate
# 17663
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Heavenly Anarchist:
I usually know the people huddled at our polling station door, it's the sort of area where everyone knows each other. I'm happy to provide my details to them, though I don't say who I am voting for as it would seem quite rude to the opposition (but I do when the lib dems come round). If I haven't voted by 10am the local lib dems call on me!
I stood in the local elections in the 90s (and got in!). Being involved in a campaign and election was a real eye opener. I was a Lib Dem and can confirm that in our patch asking for the voters' details was so that we could go and offer lifts to the polling station to other people who had said they would support us but had not yet voted.
--------------------
"It is better to be kind than right."
http://davidandlizacooke.wordpress.com
Posts: 693 | From: UK/ Kenya | Registered: Apr 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by MrsBeaky:
I was a Lib Dem and can confirm that in our patch asking for the voters' details was so that we could go and offer lifts to the polling station to other people who had said they would support us but had not yet voted.
I knew an elderly lady who was a staunch Labour supporter. She would tell Tory and/or LibDem canvassers that she would be voting for them so that they would give her a lift to the polling station as she didn't want to waste the time of the Labour activists ![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
--------------------
"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
The election ritual for me is fast becoming the "will the postal ballot arrive in time?" check the mail box when I get in from work. For the Scottish referendum it arrived at a point where it was theoretically possible for it to arrive in time (ie: I dropped it off at the post office when it opened the day after it arrived, with the usual negotiation with a clerk who doesn't speak English and my almost non-existant Japanese to ensure I've paid the right postage, and if it got to the main office by noon and on a train to Tokyo it could have made the next commercial flight out the next morning, which would get it into Heathrow, assuming that's where it went, about 2pm leaving 8h for it to get to Hamilton). I know it didn't make it, though I felt obliged to try. Still no ballot paper here, and as there's a three day holiday next week the last day I can post it is Saturday.
Does anyone know why the postal ballot papers aren't sent out a bit sooner? If you register for a postal vote months ahead of the election, surely someone can put them in the post early enough that getting them back late is the result of tardiness on the voter.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sparrow:
I've never been asked by the people outside the polling station who I intend to vote for, but they do sometimes ask for my polling card - I always refuse to give it to them, it's none of their business and I don't see why they want it
It's to see whether you've voted. If you don't hand your card over, you're more likely to get hassled by party activists urging you to go out and vote.
ETA: the tellers outside the polling station aren't allowed to ask you who you intend to vote for - they're not even allowed to speak to you apart from a "good morning/afternoon". Neither are they allowed to ask who you voted for as you leave.
Sometimes, there are independent pollsters conducting Exit polls outside polling stations, but they are completely independent from any of the parties.
[ 30. April 2015, 07:12: Message edited by: Spike ]
--------------------
"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by Sparrow:
I've never been asked by the people outside the polling station who I intend to vote for, but they do sometimes ask for my polling card - I always refuse to give it to them, it's none of their business and I don't see why they want it
It's to see whether you've voted. If you don't hand your card over, you're more likely to get hassled by party activists urging you to go out and vote.
ETA: the tellers outside the polling station aren't allowed to ask you who you intend to vote for - they're not even allowed to speak to you apart from a "good morning/afternoon". Neither are they allowed to ask who you voted for as you leave.
Sometimes, there are independent pollsters conducting Exit polls outside polling stations, but they are completely independent from any of the parties.
Going back many years to my days as a teller, we weren't allowed to show party allegiance, let alone who one had voted for, so ties were popular although our red roses were a stylish giveaway that no one objected to, especially as we had almost no chance!
--------------------
"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
Does anyone know why the postal ballot papers aren't sent out a bit sooner? If you register for a postal vote months ahead of the election, surely someone can put them in the post early enough that getting them back late is the result of tardiness on the voter.
I think "because nobody cares about people who live abroad getting to vote". I applied for a postal ballot for at least one election (it may have been two - can't remember), and the form didn't even get to me until the day after the election. I'm in the suburban US fairly close to a major hub airport - I have pretty good postal links.
Most people living in the UK don't care if you or I get to vote, and it's hard for us to kick up a stink remotely. (And if I'm honest, I don't care enough. I'd be voting in a safe seat anyway.)
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
quote:
Originally posted by Sparrow:
I've never been asked by the people outside the polling station who I intend to vote for, but they do sometimes ask for my polling card - I always refuse to give it to them, it's none of their business and I don't see why they want it
It's to see whether you've voted. If you don't hand your card over, you're more likely to get hassled by party activists urging you to go out and vote.
ETA: the tellers outside the polling station aren't allowed to ask you who you intend to vote for - they're not even allowed to speak to you apart from a "good morning/afternoon". Neither are they allowed to ask who you voted for as you leave.
Sometimes, there are independent pollsters conducting Exit polls outside polling stations, but they are completely independent from any of the parties.
Going back many years to my days as a teller, we weren't allowed to show party allegiance, let alone who one had voted for, so ties were popular although our red roses were a stylish giveaway that no one objected to, especially as we had almost no chance!
In the past only a plain coloured rosette was allowed. Nowadays, the rosette can have a party logo, but you are still not allowed to wear anything bearing the name of a party or candidate.
--------------------
"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cathscats
Shipmate
# 17827
|
Posted
When I lived overseas, I had a proxy vote, which meant that I nominated someone I could trust to vote for me in the way I instructed. Is this no longer available?
--------------------
"...damp hands and theological doubts - the two always seem to go together..." (O. Douglas, "The Setons")
Posts: 176 | From: Central Highlands | Registered: Sep 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leorning Cniht
Shipmate
# 17564
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cathscats:
When I lived overseas, I had a proxy vote, which meant that I nominated someone I could trust to vote for me in the way I instructed. Is this no longer available?
That's still possible, but that someone either has to live wherever you used to live (as they have to show up at your polling place) or apply for a postal vote as your proxy.
Posts: 5026 | From: USA | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
If I could have been organised enough to apply for a proxy 3 months ago before I left, it could be done. It would probably be someone at church - very few of the people I know at work are registered to vote in the same constituency. But, I wasn't that organised and I'd already registered for a postal vote. The thing is I know there's also a card sitting inside the door at home, part of the small mountain of mail I'll need to shift when I'm back in a months time.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, there wasn't a ballot paper when I got back from work last night. If there's one when I get home tonight I'll be counting on the post office being open Saturday afternoon. Otherwise I'll have to wait until after the holidays, which will mean posting it Thursday morning and I don't expect it to manage the trip in 18h.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alyosha
Shipmate
# 18395
|
Posted
I'm new here so if there are any hidden initiation rituals at Ship of Fools please exclude me from them).
My election rituals are as follows:
1. I get interested in the whole process and attempt (and fail) to enjoy the whole thing (after all it should be fun shouldn't it?).
2. I decide on who I am going to vote for.
3. I watch and read a lot of the election stuff.
4. I start to hope. This is the interesting ritual - I begin to hope that there might be a change which could make things better for the people in this country. It is almost always a false hope and yet I always, always fall for it.
5. I delude myself into thinking that democracy is the expression of individuals.
6. I vote. This is always an anti-climax. If I am really disappointed I blog about it in an attempt to engage. This always fails.
7. The results come in. It is always either Labour or the Conservatives who win. I pretend that this is some kind of choice or freedom.
8. I feel guilty whoever I vote for.
Posts: 162 | From: UK | Registered: Apr 2015
| IP: Logged
|
|
Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
Does anyone know why the postal ballot papers aren't sent out a bit sooner? If you register for a postal vote months ahead of the election, surely someone can put them in the post early enough that getting them back late is the result of tardiness on the voter.
Well, the ballot papers can't be printed until all the applications to be a candidate have been received and published. This time round that was on April 9th. Allowing for a bit of time to print and distribute the papers, that should mean that postal ballots could have been sent by, say, the 16th. Knowing that one could still register for a postal vote until, I think, the 21st, these last few stragglers could have been done on an ad hoc basis.
One lady in our church, going away today, still hadn't received her vote yesterday due to an administrative cock-up. They told her, "But you'll get it by polling day"! She replied that the whole point of a postal vote is that you won't be at home on polling day, nor possibly for some days beforehand if you're away on holiday or business.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Well, the ballot papers can't be printed until all the applications to be a candidate have been received and published. This time round that was on April 9th. Allowing for a bit of time to print and distribute the papers, that should mean that postal ballots could have been sent by, say, the 16th. Knowing that one could still register for a postal vote until, I think, the 21st, these last few stragglers could have been done on an ad hoc basis.
It shouldn't take more than a week for a letter to get to me, even in Japan. Therefore, I conclude that the actual posting of the ballots to people happens sometime later than that.
I'll be finishing off here at work shortly, a bit early tonight. I wonder if there'll be anything in my mail box?
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
|
Posted
I'm not in Alan's constituency but am not all that far away.
I've had my postal ballot paper for, I would think, over a week....
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alyosha:
7. The results come in. It is always either Labour or the Conservatives who win. I pretend that this is some kind of choice or freedom.
It could be slightly different this time. The joker in the pack is Nationalism - both Scottish and English. It's not the driver for political engagement I would like to see, but there you go.
Welcome to The Ship btw. There are no hidden rituals that I know of (apart from that thing with the pangolin, the marmalade and the coat hanger).
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Stejjie
Shipmate
# 13941
|
Posted
Think the only time I've managed to stay up any length of time was 2001 (when the result was pretty much a foregone conclusion) and I was at Uni and, having finished my finals, it didn't matter what state I was in the next morning.
I'd like to stay up this time, but I have a school governors' training session at 9:30 the next morning... unless I just sit at the back and drink copious amounts of the free coffee that will be there?
--------------------
A not particularly-alt-worshippy, fairly mainstream, mildly evangelical, vaguely post-modern-ish Baptist
Posts: 1117 | From: Urmston, Manchester, UK | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
|
Posted
My wife is standing as a "paper" candidate for the local Council. This means that she is part of the party "apparatus", so we shall be down at the Town Hall from about 11pm watching the count.
As it happens, that will only be the count for our MP - the Council papers won't be counted till the next day. She might well be down for that, too. Although I've been down for Council elections before, this will be the first time at a General Election.
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Galloping Granny
Shipmate
# 13814
|
Posted
Two things that occur to me as I read this thread:
Some polling stations are open here for about a week before election day, so we wander up early and vote when it's convenient. We can only vote early in our own electorate, of course. Handy if we'll be somewhere else when the day comes.
Special votes come from voters who are currently overseas; they must vote by election day but results may not be finalised for 28 days after election day, and it has happened that this resulted in a National (Conservative) seat being lost to a Green candidate. Special voters tend to favour change.
GG
--------------------
The Kingdom of Heaven is spread upon the earth, and men do not see it. Gospel of Thomas, 113
Posts: 2629 | From: Matarangi | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
luvanddaisies
the'fun'in'fundie'™
# 5761
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alyosha:
I'm new here so if there are any hidden initiation rituals at Ship of Fools please exclude me from them).
My election rituals are as follows:
1. I get interested in the whole process and attempt (and fail) to enjoy the whole thing (after all it should be fun shouldn't it?).
2. I decide on who I am going to vote for.
3. I watch and read a lot of the election stuff.
4. I start to hope. This is the interesting ritual - I begin to hope that there might be a change which could make things better for the people in this country. It is almost always a false hope and yet I always, always fall for it.
5. I delude myself into thinking that democracy is the expression of individuals.
6. I vote. This is always an anti-climax. If I am really disappointed I blog about it in an attempt to engage. This always fails.
7. The results come in. It is always either Labour or the Conservatives who win. I pretend that this is some kind of choice or freedom.
8. I feel guilty whoever I vote for.
Hello, welcome aboard, and how did you get inside my head? ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
--------------------
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." (Mark Twain)
Posts: 3711 | From: all at sea. | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Abigail
Shipmate
# 1672
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Stejjie:
Think the only time I've managed to stay up any length of time was 2001 (when the result was pretty much a foregone conclusion) and I was at Uni and, having finished my finals, it didn't matter what state I was in the next morning.
The first General Election I took an interest in was that of June 1970 and although I was in the middle of my 'O' levels with an exam the next morning (chemistry if my memory serves me right) I insisted on staying up until the early hours despite all my mother's attempts to get me to go to bed. (And yes, I passed)
--------------------
The older I get the less I know.
Posts: 505 | From: London | Registered: Nov 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
|
Posted
1. Complaining at the polling station that the election is illegal. Why?
It's not a secret ballot - in contravention to the various acts.
It's not secret because they give you a numbered slip on which to cast your vote. The number of the slip is recorded next to your name. It's possible then to work out how everyone votes ..... hardly a secret and a heavy handed way to avoid electoral fraud (the reason given for the practice)
2. If I'm there as it opens at 7 am, complaining to the staff if they don't open exactly at 7. Yes, I know I have a problem with time
3. On occasion, reporting over zealous party activists to the Police as they demand my poll card (which is illegal) and don't like it when I refuse.
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
|
Posted
As my ballot paper still hasn't arrived, I won't be voting this year.
But, I'm in the perfect place to watch the results come in. The polls close at 6am my time, so by the time I get into work there will be the first results announced. I'll keep a browser window open while I work, keeping an eye open for new results. Most constituencies will have probably announced by lunch time and the result will either be known or everyone will be watching the last counts like a hawk.
--------------------
Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
