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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they shouldn't be allowed to harass voters leaving the polling station

96 replies

PatPig · 02/05/2013 15:07

Went to vote earlier. The incumbent councillor was there (he's a twat) with about four others from his party. As each person came out they were asking for polling numbers.

I slipped in behind another woman when I was leaving so I wouldn't be hassled and have to struggle not to tell them to 'fuck off'. The woman said 'NO!' when asked for her polling number, and then they gave some BS excuse why it was needed, and I think she gave it to them.

Anyway, AIBU to think they should fuck right off from crowding the narrow entrance, chugger style, and harassing voters?

OP posts:
SlimFitWellies · 02/05/2013 15:13

Oh, is that what they were asking for when we went out this morning?

I was a bit behind DH, and heard the incumbent (also a twat) mutter something and the half-heard Dh say 'tinpot council..... corruption..... Private Eye...' which mortified me. But, they did not bother us going in, which at the time I thought was strange.

(edited to add that Dh loves a bit of stirring.)

hufflebottom · 02/05/2013 15:16

they did that to me. My reply was 'oh is it polling day, no one told me...oh i only went to use the toilets'

very confused idiot with a clipboard.

It's really annoying. YANBU

Original poster
PatPig · 02/05/2013 15:20

They are called tellers, and basically they tick your name off a list so they know if you've voted. There's not supposed to be (according to guidance rather than any law) more than one per party, but that didn't seem to be the case to me.

OP posts:
PeterParkerSays · 02/05/2013 15:22

I got asked on the way in, I think it's only so they can see who bothers to turn out to vote. In general elections, the candidates can then go door knocking on those doors where people haven't voted and leave alone the people who have.

What was the BS reason they gave why it was needed? It's not like they can in any way influence how you voted.

PeterParkerSays · 02/05/2013 15:23

We had just one per party, they had matching red or blue rosettes. Very fetching.

Original poster
PatPig · 02/05/2013 15:24

I didn't really hear, but the woman said no, and that should have been that.

OP posts:
SlimFitWellies · 02/05/2013 15:26

we had one per party too. Blue and Purple rosette. What a choice. Hmm

KoreRenati · 02/05/2013 15:37

I was wondering why I got asked for my number on the way in and then got ticked off once I actually got my ballot paper. Wonder which party the woman was from, didn't see any rosettes?

EuroShaggleton · 02/05/2013 15:42

I always refuse to give them my number. Voting in this country is anonymous. It's none of their bloody business whether or not I chose to vote.

One harangued me whining that it was so they wouldn't hassle me by door knocking later. What they mean is that they don't want to waste time doorstepping people who have voted. That's their problem, not mine.

mrsbugsywugsy · 02/05/2013 15:50

they are only allowed to approach you on the way out of the polling station, and giving them your details is optional. if they cause a problem you should complain to the presiding officer of the polling station.

as peter says they want to make sure all of their supporters have been out to vote, so they can knock on the doors of any who haven't.

Dawndonna · 02/05/2013 15:51

I don't understand what the problem is.

  1. It really is to avoid disturbing you later.
  2. It is a private ballot, having said that, whilst nobody knows what you voted last time, they do know whether or not you voted. Giving them your number at the polling station doesn't give them an indication of that, but the returning officer crossing off your name and number when they give you your ballot paper does.
Dawndonna · 02/05/2013 15:52

There is a theory that it's only the Tories that won't give out their numbers, it's never been proven! Grin

Chopchopbusybusy · 02/05/2013 15:54

Is that right mrsbugsy? I got asked for my number this morning on the way in. I was in a very bad mood and when the woman asked me I just said no and carried on my way. If she's not supposed to ask on the way in I've a good mind to pop up again later when DH goes to vote.

ConferencePear · 02/05/2013 15:55

You don't have to answer. It's none of their business.

ConferencePear · 02/05/2013 15:56

You don't have to answer. It's none of their business.

MiaowTheCat · 02/05/2013 16:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pyrrah · 02/05/2013 16:46

You don't need to give them the number, but having done telling a gazillion times, it does actually save you potential hassle later.

No-one sits and analyses who did or didn't vote. Some kid is sitting in an office ticking them off by number (don't even look at names) so that those on the phone banks or 'knocking up' don't hassle people who have already voted - or so that they can check if party members/supporters have gone out to vote yet (and offer them a lift to the polling station if they haven't).

No-one is checking up on you, or wanting to know who you voted for - although always nice to be told. The pieces of paper go in the bin at the end of the day.

Never minded people saying they didn't want to, but some people are incredibly rude.

Pyrrah · 02/05/2013 16:48

Oh and you can have more than one person - generally one or two people are telling (clipboards and rosettes only) and the others will hand out literature etc. Tellers can't hand out literature.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 02/05/2013 16:53

Sorry, I don't see how being asked one question is "being harrassed"

mrsbugsywugsy · 02/05/2013 16:56

sorry I have checked and I was wrong Blush apparently they can approach voters on the way in. my memory must have faded since I was a poll clerk a few years ago

there is information about what tellers are allowed to do here

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 02/05/2013 16:57

And OP, you sound like you were just in a bit of a bad mood

ATJabberwocky · 02/05/2013 17:04

OP you do seem to be in a bad mood, just say no and leave it at that.

I didn't even realise the tick against your name meant anything, but I don't get councillors knocking door-to-door, only the odd leaflet.

specialsubject · 02/05/2013 17:05

to think that there are countries where you can get shot for trying to vote...

musicmadness · 02/05/2013 17:12

There's no one outside mine, I just got back. Do they only turn up outside certain polling stations? I've never seen anyone asking anything after I've voted Confused

WhereYouLeftIt · 02/05/2013 17:20

I never give my number. I have never had them come knocking at my door to chase me out to vote.