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

[PatPig]

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?

[VerySmallSqueak]

I am quite happy to tell them my number.
I don't understand what the problem is.

I also have no problem with them asking me who I voted for.

I can always decline if I wish.

[ReturnOfEmeraldGreen]

I have voted in 5 or so different places and never encountered a teller.

PS: I have looked at some of the OP's other posts and I think she is a Tory, quelle surprise

[raisinggirls]

I didn't have my card with me so I didn't know my number. Not a problem when I went in, the returning officer (is that what they are called - the people behind the desk?) just looked me up on their list and wrote down my number from there.

If you don't want to be hassled, just tell them you haven't got your card. I did have two toddlers with me instead though, so they probably didn't want to come too close!

[Myliferocks]

The lone Teller outside the polling station where I voted let me slip through her net.
The room where I voted is in a school and is opposite the reception. I took DS2 with me who had his school uniform on. He doesn't attend the school but the school uniform he wears is the same colour.
I think the lady thought that I was just a parent going to reception as she looked up at me as I walked past, smiled and went back to whatever she was reading.
She looked bored stiff but she missed a golden opportunity to speak to someone.

[raisinggirls]

The reason I want to keep my vote secret is because people died so that I could do so.

The same reason that I vote at all - women went through incredible struggles to get me the vote, I owe it to them to make my informed selection. This I do based on the individual candidates, so FWIW I have voted for a different party each time over about the last 6 elections.

You can't just assume things about a person's political leanings because they do or do not choose to give over their polling card to the tellers.

[ShadowStorm]

This all sounds a bit confusing. I've never been tackled on my way out of the polling station by people wanting to know my polling number.

And I don't understand the point of it. When I went in to get my ballot paper, I gave my card to the lady behind the table, and she crossed my name off her list, so the offical ballot people know I voted. Why would other people outside the polling station also need to know whether I'm on their list, when I've already voted?

[WafflyVersatile]

Why would it be saving me from being bothered later? They go knocking on every door they don't have a card in a whole ward?

No one has ever knocked on my door at 9pm urging me to get out and vote.

[ShadowStorm]

So, can the tellers only see the list the lady in the booth has (the one you have to get crossed off on to get the ballot paper) once the doors on the polling station are closed to voters?

[Myliferocks]

When I voted, the man checked my name and address and then wrote a number down on a pad against what looked like other numbers.
Why did he do that?

[pickledginger]

The people outside asking for your number are not in any way official or part of the voting process. They are local party officials.

They want to know if you've voted. That's not about getting out late voters who might support them, it's about knowing whose opinions it's worth listening to, where it's worth leafleting etc. If your street doesn't bother voting much and you're statistically likely to be their party voters, you'll get hassled next time in the run up to the vote. If you're in an area that doesn't bother voting good luck at getting the council to listen if you have a problem in your street.

[WafflyVersatile]

Ah well, I'd be unlikely to tell anyone I was going to vote for them so I'll not worry.

[pickledginger]

Because you only get one! That's inside the voting room. You are handed one ballot and your name is crossed off, so you can't come back five minutes later and go again . The list is the electoral roll - the names of those who can vote in that area.

[pickledginger]

And the ones outside want your number to know if you vote. They've never asked me who for. They just want to know you vote.

[pickledginger]

You don't actually need your number to vote! You can just turn up, even if you've left your card at home.

[ShadowStorm]

Can't they find out who voted from the electoral roll the official lady has?

Or is that top secret?

[pickledginger]

It's not top secret, but they wouldn't be there if they could just look at that. In some polling stations they are altogether too cosy with the officials. I've seen one set up inside a polling station with a desk, chair, clipboard and rosette looking like they had every right to be there. She wasn't happy when she had to move her chair outside after my Grandma complained

[beals692]

"When I voted, the man checked my name and address and then wrote a number down on a pad against what looked like other numbers.
Why did he do that?"

After marking you as having voted on the electoral register (so you don't come back later for a second go!) your elector number is written on a list next to the ballot paper number you have been given. At the close of poll, this goes in a sealed envelope which can only be opened on the orders of a judge if they are investigating electoral fraud.

[Myliferocks]

Thank you beals692!

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

I am not really understanding what is so bad about anyone encouraging me to vote, either. If they come to my door and I don't wish to speak to them, I say so.

Really don't get this thread

[Mumsyblouse]

Someone phoned me today and said 'oh hello, I'm from the X councillor's party, have you been and voted yet?' I said 'yes', she said 'may I ask if you voted for X councillor?' I said 'no, you may not ask'!!!

Can you believe it- phoning up and asking who I'd voted for? Umm it's a secret, that's the whole point.

[JennySense]

When I stood for Council elections this is what happened:
Tellers asked voters for their polling numbers. The numbers were picked up at intervals by other party volunteers and continually fed into some software on a computer.
The numbers were matched against the info we'd been given on the doorstep, particularly so we could check if our supporters had voted yet and could "knock up" if we needed to.
From the numbers we could see whether "our vote" had turned out versus the opposition's vote, albeit with a margin of error.

[purplepenguin86]

I've never had anyone doing an exit poll when I've voted, but then I live in a very small village, and I think they only get about 40 people turn up all day. The people inside always seem to be very excited when someone arrives.