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Original poster

To wonder what's stopping them tampering with the postal votes

169 replies

nobeans · 12/06/2024 20:32

By setting post boxes in key constituencies on fire or otherwise delaying the post collection?

OP posts:
Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 07:46

DustyLee123 · 13/06/2024 07:23

I have a postal vote, and one time I had a letter saying that my signature on the vote didn’t resemble the one they had on file. So I had no vote. I did wonder about that, as my signature is always the same.

I'm glad they tell you - again thanks for sharing this

OP posts:
Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 07:46

BusyMummy001 · 13/06/2024 07:10

A friend does electoral counting - there is no way to tamper with the votes. You need to stop reading conspiracy theories on line. This is not the US with its use of machines… or sad loser bent presidents

I haven't read conspiracy theories I just wondered how they keep them safe

OP posts:
Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 07:45

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 07:01

Lost ID documents should always be notified, even if you can't afford or just don't want to replace them, because they can be used in identity theft.

Thanks for the kick up the bum ill phone them today

OP posts:
Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 07:44

BrioNotBiro · 13/06/2024 07:14

All that you ever wanted to know (and more😁) about how ballot papers are dealt with (including postal votes) are on this thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general-election-2024/5080626-polling-staff?page=2&reply=135503043

Thank you!!!! Legend

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Badassnameforadojo · 13/06/2024 07:27

I just don’t understand why you went straight to post boxes being set on fire to stop votes. If you’re worried about your post vote, I’d have thought you’d think of delayed post, or it getting lost by Royal Mail; or a postal worker opening them then getting rid,. You know, normal things which happen with mail; post gets lost, it gets delayed, post office staff sometimes delivery birthday cards with the money missing because it’s been opened.

Thise would be slightly understandable worries. The chances of them happening is teeny teeny tiny, especially the idea of workers opening them and hiding them, but I could at least understand why you’d think it and maybe ask Royal Mail workers for an insight. But you went to “post boxes set on fire.”

It’s a very odd thing to be concerned about. And makes absolutely no sense. They’ve have to watch what sort of people use each post box to make a guess at the votes in if, and they’d have to set each one on fire every day, or poor water in multiple times a day for before each collection time on the box. It just makes absolutely no sense. Why would the have a process to guard against this? It literally doesn’t happen.

Do you suffer from anxiety?

keypoir · 13/06/2024 07:27

OP there are over 115,000 postboxes in the UK according to Google, the vote usually arrives over a week before so people will be posting them over several different days, there won't be post boxes brimming with votes, any plot to scupper postal votes would have to be sophisticated and complex and likely couldn't happen unnoticed.

I will sending mine the day I have it because Royal Mail is shockingly shit around here and it'll likely take a few days to arrive, I worry about incompetence, not malice.

DustyLee123 · 13/06/2024 07:23

I have a postal vote, and one time I had a letter saying that my signature on the vote didn’t resemble the one they had on file. So I had no vote. I did wonder about that, as my signature is always the same.

Theydogethystericalovertheslightestthing · 13/06/2024 07:22

nobeans · 12/06/2024 20:36

If you're in a key seat then some one might pour water in the post box or something

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Are you from somewhere this is a regular occurence?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 13/06/2024 07:21

nobeans · 12/06/2024 21:16

Oh I thought it was a week window

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Well, even if the window is only a week, you'd have to pour water into every post box in the constituency every day for a week. It would require mass co ordination and lots of people prepared to break the law to do it.

You really don't have anything to worry about.

BusyMummy001 · 13/06/2024 07:10

A friend does electoral counting - there is no way to tamper with the votes. You need to stop reading conspiracy theories on line. This is not the US with its use of machines… or sad loser bent presidents

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 07:01

Lost ID documents should always be notified, even if you can't afford or just don't want to replace them, because they can be used in identity theft.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 07:00

To make an analogy with the national lottery, you have to be in it to win it. Anyone who is struggling to get registered and get valid ID should contact their local council's electoral office to be signposted to services which can help them or Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:55

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:53

No, it is valid for voting only, hence the name. You need your NI number and, I think, some proof of address. You can apply online. If you've lost a passport or driving licence you do need to let the Passport Office or DVLA know.

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Ok thank you! Thanks to all the helpful people here who have helped me feel like my vote is definitely going to get counted

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:53

You also need to upload a photo.

Spirallingdownwards · 13/06/2024 06:53

Stop listening to Trump and his cronies.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:53

nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:50

Thank you! I didn't realise I could get free ID can it be used as normal ID?

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No, it is valid for voting only, hence the name. You need your NI number and, I think, some proof of address. You can apply online. If you've lost a passport or driving licence you do need to let the Passport Office or DVLA know.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:51

Absentee/postal voting is also used for armed forces personnel posted abroad.

Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:50

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:48

This will be the third election where I'll need to show ID at the polling station. A Voter Authority Certificate is free if you don't have other photo ID.

Some dates to note if you want to vote in the GE:

18 June electoral deadline
19 June deadline for applying for a postal vote
26 June deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate if you don't have other valid photo ID

Thank you! I didn't realise I could get free ID can it be used as normal ID?

OP posts:
Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:48

MossyBottomFarm · 13/06/2024 06:46

Yes they do…

https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting

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Oh look at that! That's great to hear - especially with some of the distances involved for some people

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:48

This will be the third election where I'll need to show ID at the polling station. A Voter Authority Certificate is free if you don't have other photo ID.

Some dates to note if you want to vote in the GE:

18 June electoral deadline
19 June deadline for applying for a postal vote
26 June deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate if you don't have other valid photo ID

Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:46

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:43

Is that the case for you?

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Yes I lost my ID

OP posts:
NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 06:43

nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:09

For a lot of people it will be their way round the ID thing to have a postal vote

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Is that the case for you?

Original poster
nobeans · 13/06/2024 06:09

NigelHarmansNewWife · 13/06/2024 00:55

If you're going to do that, why not just vote in person at a polling station?

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For a lot of people it will be their way round the ID thing to have a postal vote

OP posts: