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?

The earliest results (generally from Sunderland) come in at approx 11.30. You get a real view of what may be happening by about 3 am.

Sunderland are getting competition this year.

LateNightFury it's difficult with UKIP re: disabilities, as their manifesto is quite sympathetic to people with disabilities - they haven't included any policies like the one you mention, and they even have some good stuff like getting rid of ATOS and the bedroom tax I think. But it's well worth looking at the things they've said away from the manifesto, and what they've said away from the manifesto is really nasty and scary - a couple of years ago, a UKIP county councillor said that people who found out that the baby they're carrying had down's syndrome or spina bifida should have to have an abortion; and their last manifesto had one policy that people with learning difficulties should have to live in special segregated communities away from the rest of us (this article from Disabled People against Cuts has some info: dpac.uk.net/tag/ukip-and-disabled-people/). Also their obsession with getting rid of discrimination laws would be really really bad for people with disabilities. This articles got lots about their record on disabled people too: www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/10/ukip-should-examine-its-own-record-over-disability-tirade

So I really don't think voting for UKIP would be a good idea if you want policies that are good for disabled people, and that's not even mentioning all the other reasons I think they're really bad!

If compassionate policies for disabled people are the most important thing for you, I'd probably vote for the greens but if your seat is currently Tory or could be won by the Tories I'd vote for whoever could keep them out as their policies are callous, degrading and frankly, lethal.

Mrshathaway, even if you can categorically prove someone has swiped your poll card and committed electoral fraud, I'm afraid that no one will be able to open the ballot box and retrieve a ballot. The ballot boxes are sealed and will not be opened until they reach the counting station. The most you can do it report it to the returning officer and they will probably have a process for recording problems like that in case it's not an isolated incident. But I don't think there is anything else you can do. Safe to say though it's a very unlikely scenario that someone would swipe a polling card and steal someone's vote.

I was fb friends with someone who was into ukip and spoke on one of his posts to the Lady who wrote disability policy for ukip, she has a disability herself and was not as agressive as other kippers In fact she seems ok. I am no longer on this guys fb, he was a user, lazy and generally angry Knobber and no amount of noseyness into kippers workings was enough to stay fb friends with him.

Regarding the missing polling card you could inform the party you planned to vote for, it will be in their interest to ensure it's investigated.

joan yeah I think that comes across in their manifesto policy, it's really not that bad - but the stuff that they've let on that they want and the way some of their candidates think about disabled people is just vile!

Thanks fro. Do you mind if I copy that para onto a discussion on fb? No references to you or mn of course?

late no of course you can! hope it helps.

Hold up, I know which party I want to vote for, but I don't know the name of my local rep.. Do I need to?!

Doesn't it just say 'labour.. Tories.. Libdem' etc?!

(also feel free to come and report back if you'd like, I'll happily rummage for more info if needed!)

The list is in alphabetical order with the party next to the candidate's name.

You can find out who is standing (by constituency name or by your postcode) on this site: yournextmp.com

If you look now, you'll know which name to look for on your ballot paper and the party is listed by each candidate.

Bumping for the morning.

REMEMBER ITS A CROSS NOT A TICK

Thanks MrsLovell - so in the event of alleged electoral fraud they could get at it later?

I doubt it would be worthwhile unless the number of alleged fraudulent votes was greater than or at least similar to the winning majority.

Snowflake... If you are unsure of which polling station ring your local electoral roll office (number will be on your councils website) and they can tell you over the phone.

Thank you Imachocolate I will do so, they're bound to be manic today ahh! Hope it's not going to be too crazy as everyone says, I have no chance of getting there before 6.35-7pm

Mrshathaway, I don't think they would no. I doubt they would search thousands of ballots for yours. You would just lose your vote on this occasion. But if a lot of people reported fraud in your area they might declare the vote in your constituency null and void, and you would have a rerun at a later date. Again super unlikely though.