Page 3 | Coordinating spoilt ballots

Binglebong · 2024-06-29T11:38:09+00:00

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?

NoWordForFluffy · 04/07/2024 23:19

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:04

I know they do get counted, but do we get to see that?

E.g. 500 people filled in a ballot paper, 300 labour, 150 tory, 50 spoiled? I don't think I've ever seen that.

The seat they just called announced 101 spoilt votes.

UtopiaPlanitia · 04/07/2024 23:18

UtilitarianNameChange · 04/07/2024 22:59

Suzanne Moore just said she spoiled her ballot (on the Unherd live broadcast via YouTube).

She said she went for ‘Respect My Sex If You
Want My X’

Well, fair play to her. She’s a woman of principle.

UtilitarianNameChange · 04/07/2024 22:59

Suzanne Moore just said she spoiled her ballot (on the Unherd live broadcast via YouTube).

She said she went for ‘Respect My Sex If You
Want My X’

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:36

Makes sense re intentionally re accidentally, although I get the impression some, if not all would be clear as to which they were, no mistaking mine! Still, I shall look up the numbers as I get the feeling there will be quite a lot.

Danana · 04/07/2024 22:25

They’re listed as rejected ballots in the data. What it won’t show is how many were intentionally vs accidentally spoiled, or whether they may have been spoiled because of policy on women’s rights or Gaza or immigration etc. But a further rise would be interesting generally. There was a big rise in rejected ballots in some constituencies in the last election which was perceived to be related to Brexit.

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:20

Exactly the same as when i didn't vote Tory last time round. So nothing, but if you don't live in a marginal constituency, does it ever? Doesn't mean you shouldn't make your point

LauraBarrow · 04/07/2024 22:16

So if there is a Labour, or other party majority, what do you think your vote will mean?

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 04/07/2024 22:09

Ang69 · 04/07/2024 21:55

Another 2 spoilt ballots! One from me and one from my 19 year old autistic son. So bloody proud of him, I didn't tell him my plan at all but when we came out he said he just couldn't bring himself to vote for anyone and wrote 'you're all crap' on the ballot paper! DH is French so having is own issues as to who to vote for on Sunday.

I am a dual national. Spoiled my ballot for this one, will be voting for Ensemble on Sunday. Hundreds of left and centrist candidates have dropped out of the race to try to beat the RN, which at least makes people's decision easier.

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:08

Kucinghitam · 04/07/2024 22:06

Yes I believe so - I can't recall whether it's actually read out at the count itself, but it is definitely reported officially such that the public can find out.

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Thanks, I'll do a look into that in a few days then, it would be really interesting, this year more so than normal I think.

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:07

They seem to be predicting a 170 labour majority. I'm going to bed to get up at 3.

I didn't get asked at all, but let's see.

Kucinghitam · 04/07/2024 22:06

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:04

I know they do get counted, but do we get to see that?

E.g. 500 people filled in a ballot paper, 300 labour, 150 tory, 50 spoiled? I don't think I've ever seen that.

Yes I believe so - I can't recall whether it's actually read out at the count itself, but it is definitely reported officially such that the public can find out.

murasaki · 04/07/2024 22:04

I know they do get counted, but do we get to see that?

E.g. 500 people filled in a ballot paper, 300 labour, 150 tory, 50 spoiled? I don't think I've ever seen that.

Kucinghitam · 04/07/2024 22:00

murasaki · 04/07/2024 21:49

At least we get counted in the turnout.

I'd like to see an analysis of actual countable votes v turnout to see the percentage spoiled.

Exactly.

Spoiled ballots get counted.

Ang69 · 04/07/2024 21:55

Another 2 spoilt ballots! One from me and one from my 19 year old autistic son. So bloody proud of him, I didn't tell him my plan at all but when we came out he said he just couldn't bring himself to vote for anyone and wrote 'you're all crap' on the ballot paper! DH is French so having is own issues as to who to vote for on Sunday.

murasaki · 04/07/2024 21:49

At least we get counted in the turnout.

I'd like to see an analysis of actual countable votes v turnout to see the percentage spoiled.

Floatingvoternolandinsight · 04/07/2024 21:47

Brefugee · 04/07/2024 09:49

of course it's taking action: it is saying that you want a better quality of MP candidate.

Not voting? is apathy and you deserve the government that causes you most harm

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of course it's taking action

No, its ineffectual. You do you though.

PriOn1 · 04/07/2024 21:44

I went along and spoiled my paper with the words “No suitable candidates, Woman: adult human female”.

It honestly felt incredibly depressing, but I couldn’t bring myself to vote for any of them.

Original poster

Binglebong · 04/07/2024 21:29

JuneFTW · 04/07/2024 21:06

I spoiled mine tonight too, in suffragette colours. Bit annoyed with the smug condescending messages on some of the threads about how much of a waste it is, those women died in vain etc. I always think on my way to the polls about what other women gave so I could vote, AND I'm not going to give my precious vote to someone who is going to sacrifice the rights of my daughters and their daughters.

Well said. They campaigned to give us choice and would have been horrified at women voting for something that is so fundamentally harmful.

I would love to vote for someone but I honestly believe they will all do great harm. It's not much but I can at least show I don't support it.

OP posts:

Danana · 04/07/2024 21:27

Danana · 04/07/2024 21:16

I was just referring to what a previous poster had said about their experience.

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Sorry having trouble editing. It was actually on another spoilt ballot thread where someone said “As a broad minded female count supervisor I hate the cock and balls drawn in a paper just have an image of a very nasty perverted man doing it.”

I doubt much if any of what’s being described here would have that issue, just thought it was an interesting perspective.

Original poster

Binglebong · 04/07/2024 21:19

Ramblingnamechanger · 04/07/2024 19:09

Great thread. Are you keeping a record of the numbers here OP. Seems as though the campaign is rolling along quite nicely. We have a voice. Thank you to everyone who has been angry enough to do this.

I'm not but I'll try to go back tomorrow and fount the confirmed ones. It's a good idea.

OP posts:

Danana · 04/07/2024 21:16

duc748 · 04/07/2024 14:50

I'm sure there've always been a fair few cock'n'balls on ballot papers, maybe more this time. I'm sure no-one has a fit of the vapours about it, though.

I was just referring to what a previous poster had said about their experience.

Appalonia · 04/07/2024 21:09

I think feeling sad and conflicted is an entirely normal, human reaction to bring put.in an impossible situation. We all want to vote, we want change, many of us are left wing and it's deeply depressing to not have trust that the Left will support us. Sadly, we've seen too much evidence not only in the UK but also America and Canada, that due to ideological capture, the Left have enacted policies which have had catastrophic effects on women.

radiatorbed · 04/07/2024 21:08

JuneFTW · 04/07/2024 21:06

I spoiled mine tonight too, in suffragette colours. Bit annoyed with the smug condescending messages on some of the threads about how much of a waste it is, those women died in vain etc. I always think on my way to the polls about what other women gave so I could vote, AND I'm not going to give my precious vote to someone who is going to sacrifice the rights of my daughters and their daughters.

There are some horrible posts about those of us who spoiled our papers. I agree with every word you say.

JuneFTW · 04/07/2024 21:06

I spoiled mine tonight too, in suffragette colours. Bit annoyed with the smug condescending messages on some of the threads about how much of a waste it is, those women died in vain etc. I always think on my way to the polls about what other women gave so I could vote, AND I'm not going to give my precious vote to someone who is going to sacrifice the rights of my daughters and their daughters.

EdithStourton · 04/07/2024 20:48

As for the time it took to write, I was fractionally ahead of someone I know, and came out just behind him and we had a chat about how crap all the options were as we walked down the hill.