Polling stations and pencil

[Symbollove]

Ok I am probably being odd, but why do polling stations have pencil to cast your vote, I don't like the idea of pencil can be rubbed off. Am not saying that will happen. But why not just have a pen? If I knew I would've taken a pen with me. Also the pencil I used was in dire need of sharpening, I went at 7.30am so not like an awful lot of people used it.
I can't remember if it's always been pencil but just occurred to me this morning when i voted

[delineateddelinquent]

The ink can leak or smudge and spoil a ballot paper.

Simples

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

There is nothing stopping you use a pen to cast your vote, but ink will run out and can dry up.

More info here - www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/explanation-behind-using-pencils-vote-21059508

[lisasimpsonssaxophone]

Pencil is actually longer lasting than ink and doesn’t run/smudge even if the papers get wet. I read a good article about this a few years ago.

I always press my pencil down really hard though so it can’t be rubbed out!

[22Giraffes]

I always take a pen

[Tangfastics]

If you use ink and it smudges then your ballot paper might not get counted.

[ElBandito]

There are easier ways to rig an election than spending time rubbing out pencil marks (which will usually leave some type of mark anyway no matter how careful you are) and then making a new mark.

[Seeline]

Part of the duty of the person running the polling station is to check pencils and resharpen if necessary.

Pens run out and dry out over time. Pencils last for years.

[Equanimitas]

You can't rub out a pencil mark without leaving traces.

[cwg1]

What kind of pencils are they? I've always had the very vague idea that they're indelible pencils i.e. not lead (I know they're really graphite) pencils.

[BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou]

The whole process is very carefully monitored. There really isn’t an opportunity for someone to erase and change your vote.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Apparently most of the stuff comes from here ... even the stubby pencils

www.electionsupplies.co.uk/

[PixieDustt]

I always take a pen aswell

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

I think they're indelible pencils. The whole "they'll rub them out" thing is utterly absurd.

[PlomBear]

Commenters on the Daily Mail are convinced voting is rigged because of the pencils. 🙄

[cwg1]

Eek!! Should have googled first!! They're definitely NOT indelible pencils, which aren't a good thing - toxic dyes. Though it explains why people in old/historical novels used to lick pencils(!)

[MarySidney]

Pencils last for years

It has always been pencils. And always the same pencils - ever since my mother took me with her when she went to vote when I was a small child. I was quite put out a few years ago when my polling station had new pencils, because they weren't the same!

Pencils can be put away and brought out again at the next election. Pens will have dried up.

[Topseyt]

It has always been pencils. Doesn't bother me really. I just make sure I put a good firm cross in my chosen box.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Pencils are more environmentally friendly too. Think about the amount of single use plastic supplying pens would create.

Also the stubby pencils are easier to hold if you have stiff hands.

[maddy68]

You can use black biro but ensure it doesn't smudge

[mencken]

the paranoia of those who live in a functioning democracy...

after I went to vote today, I went to the post office to send my cards. I'd written the envelopes with what I thought was permanent ink. Some of the writing was smudging, silly me. A pencil is a good idea.

[Justaboy]

Its PARKING not pencils can't get anywhere near the damm place, ought be able to do it online nowadays!..

[ellalina]

Bit random, but I’m now imagining the amount of germs these ballot pencils are carrying, by the close of play tonight...

[PineappleDanish]

Ah, the old rubber conspiracy theory.

Because we haven't been running elections for years with total transparency. And because there is quite obviously a team of secret elves hiding inside the ballot boxes with a rubber to change your vote, given that they're under the eyes of people at all times.

[BarkandCheese]

Assuming all the pencils are like the ones in my polling station they’re thick, chubby and dark leaded. It’s fairly hard to rub out thin and light pencil marks without leaving tell tale signs behind, I’d imagine with these pencils it’s all but impossible.