I put a tick instead of an x will my vote still count?

[Elendon]

Header says it all really. I've always done x but put a tick instead, because I want this candidate to win.

I've messed it up haven't I?

I didn't sign it.

Unsigned means don't put anything on the paper which identifies you. Ticks are fine. Sometimes it's not clear what the voter's intention was and then the candidates and their agents get together to mull it over.

I worked as a poll clerk once and had someone totally colour in the wee box rather than putting a tick or a cross. General consensus was that although not conventional, colouring in was a clear statement of intent too.

I wish I could 'like' some of these comments

Apparently a smiley face was also allowed in a previous vote as it satisfied the 'completely in the box and no other marks on the paper' criteria.

Elendon some people sign their ballot paper. It can't then be counted because it means someone may know how you voted.

technically its any discernible mark in the paper. you could draw a graphically detailed penis and it still count towards the candidate as long as it was inside the box and the only mark on the paper

Agree with others. A tick is a clear intention to vote for one candidate and will be counted.

Ah, I didn't know about the signing thing. That's something I would never do. But. Having just done a tick instead of an x, I can well imagine that it would be done and sadly that vote would not be counted.

Sorry my last post was to Dawn. Thanks for your answer.

You can tell someone how you voted previous to the day and post 10pm. You can also tell someone how you intend to vote. I do understand that.

My last post was specifically to the undersigning and not the tick.

I'm still feeling about the tick.

Ticking is fine. Smiley face, anything in the box really.

On the accidently voting Tory. I had to whip mine away from the ballot box at the last minute just to check...

It has to be a secret ballot, so signed papers are destroyed.

You can tell someone how you have voted/ how you intend to vote at any time except in the the polling station itself

As long as it's a clear, recognised, positive 'yes' then it will be counted.

Hearts and smiley faces too.

So next time I want to protest at the police commissioner elections, I need to draw a hairy cock and balls for all candidates?

I like the idea of drawing a smiley face! Might do that next time I have to vote for something.

I suppose the meaning of a cartoon penis is in the eye of the beholder

I suppose it could be interpreted as erect with excitement for the candidate in question?

I've had the dubious pleasure of verifying and counting votes. As long as your intention is clear it will be counted.

You put a tick because you wanted this person to win?

Does that mean last time you put a cross against the person you didn't want to win?

does anyone secretly get the fear after they've put their ballot in that perhaps the line was too faint, or the vote will get lost or does that clearly show a cross?
I'm like a child with my pencil. Gripped hard, tongue in teeth, bubble cross, coloured in hard.

Having just come back from a count - a star in a box by a candidate's name was passed as acceptable, as was a vague squiggle wholly in one box. I didn't see it myself but one which drew penises in each box was rejected. Some were rejected because the voters identified themselves.

It is a long night but if you can keep awake, it's an interesting process and worth getting involved to see democracy in action.

I forgot, one or two had ticks which had been turned into crosses, and these were fine too.

Wholly in the box - if you've done a cross that spills out slightly, is that a problem?

I don't think spilling out of the box is a problem as long as your intention is clear.