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Original poster

Is anyone else here working at a Polling Station on Thursday?

113 replies

Stinkyfeet · 04/05/2010 19:16

If so, what are you doing and more importantly, what food are you taking?!

OP posts:
ChippyMinton · 05/05/2010 21:23

More importantly what is everyone wearing? Are purple and grey politically neutral?

ChippyMinton · 05/05/2010 21:21

Chippy's menu du jour:
breakfast:pain au raisin
snacks:bananas
lunch:chicken chilli mango & rocket baguette
posh crisps
vanilla yoghurt
dinner:innocent veg pot (if there's a microwave, if not, I have a pot noodle as fallback!)
large bottle of lemon volvic
orange & lime tictacs
daim bars
and my camping mug to keep my tea hot.

If I feel "the fear" I shall ring DH to bring reinforcements

Original poster
Stinkyfeet · 05/05/2010 21:07

Yes, as Saffy says putting up the signs, putting up the booths and getting the room ready is all down to the Polling Station staff. I'll be there about 6am to get started.

Sounds like you've got plenty of food to keep you going there, Saffy - hope the day goes OK for you.

OP posts:
saffy202 · 05/05/2010 20:31

Signs will go up tomorrow - that's part of my job!
Foodwise I have loads of junk. Diet starts again on Monday
Ham & coleslaw sarnies, biscuits, polos, tic tacs, Galaxy counters , some dessert thing, scotch egg, crisps, energy drink, water and coffee.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/05/2010 20:15

lol!!!!
our local one is usually having the signs put up as it opens at 7am.

NoahAndTheWhale · 05/05/2010 20:01

When do the polling stations get made ready? Will our one have signs outside yet or will it happen at about 6:30am?

I am going to drive past it in about 30 min so will have a look .

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/05/2010 19:30

pretty sure not Jaqueline - its really strictly controlled. agents, counting agents and candidates are allowed in the 'inner sanctum' press are have to say in the outer area.

I reckon you could do magic tricks with those ballot boxes Stinky

Original poster
Stinkyfeet · 05/05/2010 18:48

That sounds a bit grim Saffy - hope he's turns out to be OK! I've got 3 Poll Clerks this year, so they're obviously expecting it to be busy.

And definitely 2 ballot boxes - they're sitting in front of me now!

So has everyone else got their food sorted? Whatcha got?

OP posts:
Jaquelinehyde · 05/05/2010 17:40

Can't believe I'm not involved this year. I love the polling stations and the count. Just couldn't commit to it this year with it being the last few weeks of Uni.

Do we know if the count is open to members of the public? I'm not sure as I'm usually counting, any ideas anyone?

saffy202 · 05/05/2010 17:05

I am only with one man this year Don't know him but he sounded a bit snotty when he rang to introduce himself.

Am also doing the count on Frday morning - which I have never done before - not sure what that entails and I am terrified I lose count or something. Not very good at counting if someone is watching me.

saffy202 · 05/05/2010 17:01

I am! Am beginning to regret volunteering at the thought of 15 hours lol

isthatporridgeinyourzone · 05/05/2010 16:16

Just ring up Electoral Services at the Council Riven and get then to send you a form.

My favourite bit is adjudicating on the doubtful and spoilt ballot papers - usually where people have put a cross outside the box, or a tick instead of a cross. Get a lot of "none of the above" but last election one voter had drawn an anatomically correct penis in the Conservative candidate's box (including hair). Unfortunately I couldn't say that it showed a "clear intention" to vote for one candidate so did had to exclude it. I lolled.

ShrinkingViolet · 05/05/2010 16:05

Riven, try on your district council website, that's where I initially saw an advert.

sarah293 · 05/05/2010 15:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LadyTumble · 05/05/2010 15:33

I'm working at the count tomorrow, counting the votes. A re-count would be good as we get paid by the hour

ShrinkingViolet · 05/05/2010 15:25

we have different boxes, but people still manage to get confused .

UnquietDad · 05/05/2010 15:17

My neighbour (retired) always does it. I was asking her about it earlier this week. I assumed there would be two boxes for local and national elections - apparently not! Different-coloured ballot slips go in the same one.

firsttimemum77 · 05/05/2010 15:13

Not this year - did it last time round and hated it...lol...maybe next time though...I did the count last time round and bits and bobs leading up - i.e. opening envelopes and scanning them to see if all okay - this year the LA I work for has a scanning machine...ooooo
Anyhows this year I will be looking after the office whilst all but 3 others of my colleagues will be on election duties...

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/05/2010 14:10

I bet the precut fruit and salad bits don't get eaten.
in fact, I would just main line the haribo alternated with strong black coffee!

Original poster
Stinkyfeet · 05/05/2010 13:15

Thanks for the weather report, Kitten, will wrap up warm in the Polling Station - the heating's never on!

OP posts:
Original poster
Stinkyfeet · 05/05/2010 13:14

I'm so glad that food is the priority at Polling Stations up and down the country!!

We call it "the Fear" ... the fear of running out of food!

I have now bought my supplies. Started out well with tea, coffee and milk. multigrain subrolls, pre-cut fruit (), salad bits, bottles of water, cupasoup ... then descended into mayhem with the Haribo, multipack of crisps, chocolate muffins, cookies, savoury eggs and mini cornish pasties. Oh and a couple of sundae type desserts.

Still, it's a long day!

OP posts:
ButterPie · 05/05/2010 13:07

Oh, I would LOVE to do this, my Grandad used to do it. DP was at the count in 1997, the lucky sod. I was 12. He was some form of Labour hanger-on. Bet it was brilliant.

That's a point, are party members allowed to count, or do we just get to glare at the other parties?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/05/2010 12:37

my weather forecast just in case you need it. I think its a thermos flask day myself.

Northumberlandlass · 05/05/2010 12:31

Presiding Officer here !
In our area only the poll clerks have been offered the count. I'm not that bothered really, was involved in a re-count many moons ago and I was knackered at the end of it.

Food....I am really going to try and not take enough food for a week.

I always look forward to it
x

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/05/2010 12:23

ben if you are telling they should give you instructions. you'll probably be asking people for their polling number, writing that down and perhaps doing a tally for won't says.

if you have a good bunch of people the tellers from the different parties will share polling numbers with each other, cos it can get really hectic when everyone comes at once.

remember not to obstruct the entrance and try and not look too intimidating