An idiots guide to voting.

[morethanpotatoprints]

just wondered if those amongst us who are in the know could answer questions for us who don't.
A bit like Question time.

So we post a question and get a response. Is this a reasonable suggestion?

I can start with a question.

I live in a safe Labour area. I am stuck between Labour and Green but don't really particularly agree with either whole heartedly.
Should I just spoil my paper?

I think timing depends on your area, we always go in the evening after work between 8and 10 usually and I have never seen another sole in the place, let alone a queue, ever. But if your poll station is busy I wouldn't leave it late.

I have a question....someone said that Farange is going to be good for disabled people, but I thought he wanted children with sen all in special schools? Anyone know his policy?

Snowflake, I never got my polling card either. I telephoned the local Electoral Registration Officer and they confirmed that DH and I are registered to vote but I'm worried someone else has my polling card and uses it before I get there!

Jem, no you just tell them your name and address, they never ask for Id

Here is a nice, easy to read guide for tactical voting with a link at the end to the individual polling for each constituency.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/04/how-to-vote-tactically-election

Thanks for the advice - I live alone but my sister who lives a short walk away has received hers! I hope I'm at the same polling station as her, I have dug out the letter and it has my poll number so fingers crossed

You don't need the polling card, it makes it a bit quicker if you do have it though. I don't think you need ID, does anyone else know?
In the polling stations I've been in, it's always been fine to take children in with you. I think they would have more of an issue with adults because it might be someone trying to get you to vote a particular way.m

If you make a mistake on your voting paper DO NOT sign the mistake as you will have spoilt your paper.

If you intend to spoil your paper with a giant X through the paper, your vote will go to the person by the Centre of the X.

I'm still here and reading some of the questions and answers.

A big thank you to the poster who warned about having to cast vote before 10pm not just to be in a queue.

You are entitled to vote if you have a ballot paper by 10.00pm, but not if you're just in the queue

The law has now changed on this point: if there is a queue then voting will continue past 10pm until everyone in the queue has voted, but you will not be allowed to join the queue after 10pm.

It's better to vote early in the day if you possibly can. I always plan to go first thing, and that leaves me with loads of flexibility if for some reason I don't make it when I expect to.

There might be reps from political parties sat at the entrance. They will probably ask you for your polling card or number AFTER you have voted. It is optional if you give it to them. The reason they want it is because when they have been canvassing they will have written down whether Mrs X at 2 high street is a supporter or not. When they have the polling number they can match it up to an address and person so they know that you have voted but not who for of course. This gives them an idea of how many of their supporters have voted. If a supporter hasn't voted then they will go and knock at the door to remind them. All parties do it, and it's a way of ensuring they get out their vote. Please don't be rude to these people, lots of people are but they're just helping candidates know how it's going and of its worth knocking on doors at 9pm, very important in some areas where it will come down to a few votes.

I have taken my children right to the booth with me and no one has ever complained. They were a baby and 3yo at the last general election but I have since taken them to local elections with no problem. This time round ds is very interested and vocal about who he thinks I should vote for so his preferred position will be marking the ballot paper for me - he might have to stand outside!

I have never taken my polling card or ID. I am not sure what I'd do if I was already ticked off - rummage in my purse for my driving licence and alert the returning officer, I guess. They know which box your vote has gone into and could retrieve it if necessary.

Some official-looking types may sit outside with clipboards. They may also ask for your details, and how you voted. You don't have to tell them anything, so don't feel under any obligation.

I must check how many council votes I get this time. It's very confusing.

this probably sounds obvious but do check that you know the names of all the candidates and who you are going to vote for. Sometimes there are people with similar names. The party symbol is usually printed too which makes it easier.
Also, you might be in an area with council elections too. In which case you will be getting a second ballot paper.

cinder

Thank you for making that clear. I think notes like this are the most important and not always promoted.

I'm getting there now, and certainly not spoiling the paper.

Anybody asked a question and not been answered yet?

Thanks MrsHathaway, I didn't know they could trace back the paper. I would be very annoyed as this may be the first ever time that my vote will make a difference. In all previous votes it was a foregone conclusion but this time a change is possible

For those asking about how best to vote to keep the Tories out, this might be helpful:

www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/tactical-voting

It's so difficult - I really want to vote green, because they're the only party who are really standing by the fact that austerity isn't necessary and does more harm than good, but in my seat they keep saying that the LibDems could take it from the Tory... So I don't know if I should just hold my nose and vote libdem.

I'm doubting myself now, but the ballot papers have a serial number on and they seem to jot it down when you arrive.

DH's postal vote had serial numbers and barcodes all over it.

I will be sitting outside tomorrow. I have my party colours clothing set out.

We do not interfere with voting. We just mark off voters and the data gets collected by the chap running the election campaign, here.

To the pp who asked the best time to go.

When I've been a poll clerk in the past (and I will be again tomorrow) this is what ive noticed.

IMO there's always a bit of a rush first thing, usually older people who like to be first in, plus the on way to work voters. Then you'll get a lull before parents on any back from school run.

Another rush of voters just before or after the afternoon school run.

Then there's a constant flow from about 6-8. Another lull before the big rush 9.30 to 10.

If as predicted its going to be the biggest turn out ever, since the last biggest turn out and we've still got people walking into the station at 10pm, there's a process to ensure no one gets booted out before voting.

Does anyone know roughly what time the results come in?

Should say that it's a process that's been agreed with the electoral commission (I guess?. Just what I was told at my training session yesterday); so that there are none of the ugly scenes that occurred in 2010 when people were denied a vote despite being on the station.

It depends on your constituency.

I have been phoning around asking what time voters are planning on voting and it's mainly afternoon here, followed by evening.

This article predicts when the results are due in for each constituency:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11475225/date-and-time.html