to ask if I'm alone in sensing that the election results will confound the pollsters??

[grovel]

It's just a gut feeling that the nation(s) won't vote as predicted.

Patients reporting huge queues at polling stations (never seen before). Love to know turn out. Off soon myself. Have decided to tactual vote! (I think)

Joan have you done it before (the telling) and is it unsual for people not to say who they voted for?

I'm really not sure how it will go but I think it won't be as close as they think. I'm not sure on the UKIP thing, they do well in the European parliament elections but I think people don't take that as seriously as the general election. They'll probably get a fair few votes, but I don't think many actual seats.
I too voted on a local level. Don't like the party but this person seems like they'd be a good MP for my area.

I think a lot of people still seem undecided so it could be very interesting.

I have put a bet on a Conservative majority which I pretty much thought would happen this year since 2010. My feeling is that a lot of people who have considered the smaller parties will swing back to a major party in the polling station.

I hope I'm wrong about the majority, but at least if I'm right, I'm better off at 12/1 :) I'm going to need every penny if they get back in.

I was the only one there when I went so perhaps the huge turnout is happening later where I am!

I wavered over my choice in the booth, but then I reminded myself that my seat is an ultra safe Tory seat anyway so stuck with my first choice.

Everywhere I turn there seems to be a lot of support for the green party so Im thinking they might do better than expected. Not enough to have many seats, but enough to be heard better perhaps.

I'm really worried UKIP will get a much greater share than predicted. Might not turn into seats though.

Can someone who knows tell me what happens after 10pm. When first result etc....

StatisticallyChallenged, are you aware of any stats about how undecideds eventually vote (ie for or against incumbent)? Do pollsters follow up?

First result could be 10.40. Probably Sunderland.

Just been to vote with DD aged 5. We're well past her bed time because of the queue! Never seen anything like it!

I suspect (and I hope I'm wrong) that UKIP will win a fair few seats in the south west. This is the first time I've been nervous about an election result and it's a horrible feeling.

I think the Conservatives will do better than predicted. I think a lot of people don't want to say they're voting for them.

I think UKIP will do surprisingly well, though I'm not sure that they'll win seats, just that they'll be a lot closer than anyone thought.

I was a booth decider too, and lots more people than usual.

I think it will be a high turnout which has to be a good thing.

Not sure that Nigel Farage will win South Thanet though.

My instinct is that people who are undecided at this stage in the process will be likely to go with their previous vote but that's just a feeling. I have no real idea of how this one will go in the booths.

The reports I saw of polls didn't put much emphasis on the 'don't knows' and I'm not even sure what percentage they were of all voters.

Are the party %ages taken from those who have decided which way they vote, or of all voters? Or does it vary between polls?

I also decided in the booth. I marked the general one, then saw a name I know and respect on the local paper and went the other way (and dh did the same!)

"I think the Conservatives will do better than predicted. I think a lot of people don't want to say they're voting for them."

I think this is a factor, and also for UKIP. Though the level of inhibition seems to change depending on where you are and who you're with.

There's a good thread in Chat started by RedToothBrush, she's got lot of links and stats and info.

Called Swingometers at the Ready.

Dd has been working in a call centre that does phone polls/surveys and she said almost all the people she asked said Conservatives or UKIP. which is a bit bloody grim imo

In most polls the don't knows are allocated, based partially on how people voted previously, and how previous elections were split. Traditionally thus means that the Tories are given a few percent more of the don't knows than others (something called "shy Tory voter"). The uncertainty this time is how many Don't Knows are UKIPpers. Whilst it wing give UKIP !any seats it may cost Conservatives some.