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Original poster

Coordinating spoilt ballots

443 replies

Binglebong · 29/06/2024 12:38

I know there is a thread about have you spoilt your ballot but this is slightly different.

I'm trying to hold my nose and vote for someone but there is not a single potential MP in my constituency who does not disgust me. I don't want to vote Reform or someone as a protest as it might be seen that they have more support than they do. So the liklihood is that I will spoil my vote.

I know spoilt votes only really get looked at if there is a huge number or if the vote is close. But just in case I was wondering if it is worth having the same thing written on all of them to show that it is a massive issue that is losing them votes. What would you suggest (if you think it is a good idea).
Respect my sex if you want my X is a good one but is it the best?

OP posts:
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NoWordForFluffy · 29/06/2024 16:27

duc748 · 29/06/2024 15:47

I see the finger-waggers are out in force on this thread.

These threads are like catnip to
them. They're lurking, dying to tell people how very wrong they are for actually considering all candidates carefully before deciding there's nobody to vote for. Seemingly, we're not allowed red line issues we won't vote for under any circumstances. 🙄

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 16:26

ScribblingPixie · 29/06/2024 15:52

That was a referendum - we were asked our opinion on what direction the country should take. Why would be the argument for spoiling a ballot for that? I can't see the link to this general election.

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The law of unintended consequences.

Appalonia · 29/06/2024 16:12

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 16:10

You are not being scolded. It's the delusions of grandeur associated with the spoilt ballot paper that is the issue. A spoilt ballot paper has no power. As my old granny used to say "you can't polish a turd".

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So what exactly do you want us to do...?

AstonUniDataScraperWankers · 29/06/2024 16:10

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:44

Okie dokie. Its the emperor's version of protest.

Custom made stickers and large felt tips, tell me you are middle class without telling me you are middle class.

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I see we've reached the stage of insults once the scolding fails.
Though I agree with you that custom made stickers are sooo middle class. I prefer edgy working class forms of protest, like the time those MSPs stood in front of a hand made banner calling for the decapitation of uppity women.

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 16:10

Appalonia · 29/06/2024 15:50

To all of those scolding is for wanting us to spoil our ballots, so do you agree with these statements by Labour politicians? Because I certainly don't and I will NOT vote for politicians who say this kind of stuff. How can they in all seriousness utter these words? Are they stupid???

You are not being scolded. It's the delusions of grandeur associated with the spoilt ballot paper that is the issue. A spoilt ballot paper has no power. As my old granny used to say "you can't polish a turd".

JanesLittleGirl · 29/06/2024 16:04

Ramblingnamechanger · 29/06/2024 14:31

How many spoilt votes would it take for our concerns to be acknowledged?

I think that it would be noticed if there were more spoiled votes than the gap between first and second.

Original poster
Binglebong · 29/06/2024 16:04

Because there is the CHANCE of it doing something. And it still means they get one less vote.

Now, shall we get back on subject - if you, despite all the arguments, decide to spoil your vote: what should you write?

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Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 16:01

Binglebong · 29/06/2024 15:47

You really don't get it. I believe that if any of the parties get in they will do great harm. I know one of the will but while I cannot stop them I can stand up and say I don't support them. You're right, the spoilt votes probably will do nothing. But it is still doing more than voting for them under protest and indicating I support their actions.

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You're right, the spoilt votes probably will do nothing. But it is still doing more than voting for them under protest and indicating I support their actions.

One of these equally reprehensible political parties is going to get into power. How is a 'do nothing' effect action a protest?

Original poster
Binglebong · 29/06/2024 15:56

I go think the number of spoilt ballots and what is written on them should be released. Perhaps a future campaign?

OP posts:
pieceofpasta · 29/06/2024 15:54

One thing is think of the thousands of counters who will see the same message over and over again. It could be a way to reach millions.

ScribblingPixie · 29/06/2024 15:52

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:48

How did that work out for Brexit? Like I said, people can do what they want but lets not pretend it is anything noble or impactful.

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That was a referendum - we were asked our opinion on what direction the country should take. Why would be the argument for spoiling a ballot for that? I can't see the link to this general election.

Appalonia · 29/06/2024 15:52

Pic didn't link

Coordinating spoilt ballots
Appalonia · 29/06/2024 15:50

To all of those scolding is for wanting us to spoil our ballots, so do you agree with these statements by Labour politicians? Because I certainly don't and I will NOT vote for politicians who say this kind of stuff. How can they in all seriousness utter these words? Are they stupid???

TheFallenMadonna · 29/06/2024 15:50

duc748 · 29/06/2024 15:47

I see the finger-waggers are out in force on this thread.

I prefer protester...

TheFallenMadonna · 29/06/2024 15:49

I have been to many counts, including as a candidate, so I'm aware of how much scrutiny is given to spoilt ballots. I have stood for elections I have had v little chance of winning so that I and others who share my political views had someone to vote for. Our very safe seat is now looking considerably less so, and it is not the only one. That was also the case in 2019 election. Votes counted count.

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:48

ScribblingPixie · 29/06/2024 15:37

I don't get your opinion. I'm in a totally safe Labour seat. Either voting for any of the other parties or spoiling my paper would have the same political impact to apathy/staying at home in the sense that the same person will win whatever I do or don't do. But both will have a different impact to apathy/staying at home in the sense that I will have registered my opinion.

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How did that work out for Brexit? Like I said, people can do what they want but lets not pretend it is anything noble or impactful.

Original poster
Binglebong · 29/06/2024 15:47

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:44

Okie dokie. Its the emperor's version of protest.

Custom made stickers and large felt tips, tell me you are middle class without telling me you are middle class.

Show quote history

You really don't get it. I believe that if any of the parties get in they will do great harm. I know one of the will but while I cannot stop them I can stand up and say I don't support them. You're right, the spoilt votes probably will do nothing. But it is still doing more than voting for them under protest and indicating I support their actions.

OP posts:
duc748 · 29/06/2024 15:47

I see the finger-waggers are out in force on this thread.

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:44

Shortshriftandlethal · 29/06/2024 15:32

No it isn't. It is the opposite of apathy. Apathy is voting for people you don't support just because you think you should.

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Okie dokie. Its the emperor's version of protest.

Custom made stickers and large felt tips, tell me you are middle class without telling me you are middle class.

thankyouforthedayz · 29/06/2024 15:43

@Corinthiana I totally disagree. All the spoilt papers, or papers where vote is not cast in the standard way, are scrutinised. This will be by the Agents and possibly candidate themselves. A spoilt ballot is still a vote. If you stay away there is nothing to differentiate you from a can't be arsed person.

TheFallenMadonna · 29/06/2024 15:39

Holidayshopping · 29/06/2024 15:35

Apathy would be not voting at all.

Spoiling your ballot is not voting at all.
Spoilt ballots are counted themselves, but are not added to the votes counted.

ScribblingPixie · 29/06/2024 15:37

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 29/06/2024 15:29

Political action with the same impact as apathy.

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I don't get your opinion. I'm in a totally safe Labour seat. Either voting for any of the other parties or spoiling my paper would have the same political impact to apathy/staying at home in the sense that the same person will win whatever I do or don't do. But both will have a different impact to apathy/staying at home in the sense that I will have registered my opinion.

TheFallenMadonna · 29/06/2024 15:35

Binglebong · 29/06/2024 15:24

None of the people in my constituency are people who represent me, or, judging by social media, others in the area. Realistically it will be labour or conservatives who become the next government. They both have multiple policies (not to do with sexes) that I cannot bring myself to support. Neither have polices that I can. Yes, there's a huge number of things beyond the gender issues and I don't trust this either of these piles on any of them!

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Vote for one of the other parties who do have a policy on something that you care about. Increase their vote share.

Original poster
Binglebong · 29/06/2024 15:35

Appalonia · 29/06/2024 15:29

It's our individual choice what we do with our vote. One female friend has voted Labour because of the NHS. A male acquaintance is voting Reform as he feels the 2 main parties don't care about ordinary people and don't see them having any answers to the huge problem s we are facing. I'm not going to criticise either of them as you have to vote with your conscience.

I really WANT to vote Labour, but after all the appalling, ill informed things they've said about women, I just cant. I've voted Labour all my life, I remember staying up all night in 1997 with friends to witness the Labour landslide, it was so joyful, like watching the end of a dictatorship.And I'm heartbroken that I can't in all good conscience vote for them this time. I've thought about this a LOT, and I keep going back and forth, but I have decided I will NOT vote for a party that is either so ideologically captured, stupid, mendacious or ignorant about this issue that goes to the very heart of my being as a woman.

Do listen to Grace Petrie's A young woman's tale on that.

OP posts:
Holidayshopping · 29/06/2024 15:35

Apathy would be not voting at all.