A question for those who didn't vote today......

[Kermit power]

So then. For anyone who didn't vote today, would you have done so if you could've voted online?

Considering that I was asked for absolutely no proof of identification when I turned up at the polling station today, I can't see that there's much of a security issue with allowing online voting, so I wonder why we don't have it, and I'm interesting in knowing how much of a difference it might actually make?

[Martin Keene]

I think this country is long over due a new choice on the ballot paper.

It should read:

'None of the Above'

I'd be very interested to see how much the percentage of voter turnout would rise by if there was a proper method for venting your lack of belief/trust/support (delete as applicable) for the candidates listed.

[tegwin]

Martin Keene said:

I think this country is long over due a new choice on the ballot paper.

It should read:

'None of the Above'

I'd be very interested to see how much the percentage of voter turnout would rise by if there was a proper method for venting your lack of belief/trust/support (delete as applicable) for the candidates listed.

There already is... You simply spoil your vote by drawing a big penis on the paper!!!

It shows your support for the "system" buy states that you are unable to conclude who to vote for.... these are all counted up!

[andy-xr]

I voted on Monday, then popped it in the postbox

Dont have time to go to the polling station

Edited by andy-xr on Thursday 4th June 22:25

[ewenm]

They don't care if it's you voting with your polling card, merely that only one vote is submitted per card. I was surprised no ID was required too.

[Kermit power]

ewenm said:

They don't care if it's you voting with your polling card, merely that only one vote is submitted per card. I was surprised no ID was required too.

You actually don't even need to take the polling card.

[fido]

Surely it's as easy to vote by post as it is online?!

[Kermit power]

fido said:

Surely it's as easy to vote by post as it is online?!

How do you figure that one out?

Quite apart from anything else, you're asking people to be bothered enough to get up off their arses and go to the post box at least twice - once to request a postal ballot, and then again to actually vote. If they're going to bother doing that, then why wouldn't they already be going to the polling station?

Edited by Kermit power on Thursday 4th June 23:06

[agent006]

fido said:

Surely it's as easy to vote by post as it is online?!

As easy, but nowhere near as secure as voting online.

[fido]

Kermit power said:

fido said:

Surely it's as easy to vote by post as it is online?!

How do you figure that one out?

Quite apart from anything else, you're asking people to be bothered enough to get up off their arses and go to the post box at least twice - once to request a postal ballot, and then again to actually vote. If they're going to bother doing that, then why wouldn't they already be going to the polling station?

Well I only had to lift my arse once .. they sent me a form [a long time ago] asking if i wanted a postal vote.

But yeah i supposed online voting [when we can get some sort of secure online ID system up-and-running] would be an improvement, and more convenient to boot.

[daveenty]

ewenm said:

They don't care if it's you voting with your polling card, merely that only one vote is submitted per card. I was surprised no ID was required too.

Was amazed by this tonight.

Female Attendant: " Could you confirm your identity please?"
Me: "Yes it's me"
Male Attendant: "We need you to confirm who you are"

I then opened wallet with cards/licence etc.

At this time, two young teenage boys turned up (had seen them hovering earlier) on bikes. The bikes got left outside whilst they then proceeded to wander about inside the polling station (a porta-cabin with very limited space.)

So now, I'm discussing ID with a female attendant, male attendant and two teenagers.

Was about to say something, when the female suggests to the kids that they wait outside so as not to put off the voters.

Turned out that they were her bloody kids.

Hopefully they didn't put too many people off, though the presence was certainly felt (especially in this day and age).

My bonus was that I followed an old friend of my mother in (Joe is now 92 years old and votes because it's his duty) and he suggested that they *pissed off out of the bleedin' way*

Felt proud to walk him home afterwards


It seemed that a lot of people were going out of their way to make people uncomfortable about voting...

[thinfourth2]

tegwin said:

Martin Keene said:

I think this country is long over due a new choice on the ballot paper.

It should read:

'None of the Above'

I'd be very interested to see how much the percentage of voter turnout would rise by if there was a proper method for venting your lack of belief/trust/support (delete as applicable) for the candidates listed.

There already is... You simply spoil your vote by drawing a big penis on the paper!!!

It shows your support for the "system" buy states that you are unable to conclude who to vote for.... these are all counted up!

However the government merely sees any spoiled votes as meaning you are too stupid to understand the voting process, hence we have a ballot paper that is big enough to be very effective wallpaper.

[Martin Keene]

thinfourth2 said:

tegwin said:

Martin Keene said:

I think this country is long over due a new choice on the ballot paper.

It should read:

'None of the Above'

I'd be very interested to see how much the percentage of voter turnout would rise by if there was a proper method for venting your lack of belief/trust/support (delete as applicable) for the candidates listed.

There already is... You simply spoil your vote by drawing a big penis on the paper!!!

It shows your support for the "system" buy states that you are unable to conclude who to vote for.... these are all counted up!

However the government merely sees any spoiled votes as meaning you are too stupid to understand the voting process, hence we have a ballot paper that is big enough to be very effective wallpaper.

Agreed. Which is why I don't support the Spoilt Paper idea, because the system assume you are stupid, not making an informed decision.

[ewenm]

Kermit power said:

ewenm said:

They don't care if it's you voting with your polling card, merely that only one vote is submitted per card. I was surprised no ID was required too.

You actually don't even need to take the polling card.

You need ID if you don't take it though, don't you?

[Brian Fantana]

nope - i walked with no ballot card, i had ID on me but they didn't ask to see it - they just asked for my address. The form the woman had in front of her was easily readable so I could've easily pretended to be someone up the road.

Idiots.

[Lord Pikey]

Not living in the country i admit i jsut plain couldnt be arsed with the hassle of postal voting. If it were online i would of

[FourWheelDrift]

tegwin said:

Martin Keene said:

I think this country is long over due a new choice on the ballot paper.

It should read:

'None of the Above'

I'd be very interested to see how much the percentage of voter turnout would rise by if there was a proper method for venting your lack of belief/trust/support (delete as applicable) for the candidates listed.

There already is... You simply spoil your vote by drawing a big penis on the paper!!!

It shows your support for the "system" buy states that you are unable to conclude who to vote for.... these are all counted up!

Spoilt votes count for nothing. You spoil your vote and the morons in government stay in government because you didn't vote against them. It's the most stupid thing you can do really as it proves nothing and says nothing.

[tegwin]

I voted for the first time yesterday...

Seriously... what an intimidating situation to be in... its like we are expected to just know what to do!!! No wonder young people are put off voting!

Anyone have any idea what the random people sitting inside the door writing down peoples voting numbers were actually doing there? (they had coloured reosettes on if that helps!)

One would have thought that by walking into the voting hall and looking completely lost would invoke some sort of guidance or even a greeting from the codgers sat at the desks... but no!

Really weird...

[FourWheelDrift]

Independently counting up the turnout for the voting? Just in case extra votes appear supporting a certain governmental candidate. They have heard what happened in Zimbabwe and don't want a repeat here

[Scraggles]

actually took the time to get out of my car on the way to work and vote, took all of 2 mins, did not vote for nu labia or bnp, but easy thing to do

the people who did not vote should never whine that the wrong politician gets in, as if you do not vote you are a waste of space