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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that your vote isn't actually secret?

111 replies

hellooooooomama · 08/06/2017 22:08

Everyone has voted by now so hopefully won't put anyone off. Grin

I watched very carefully while voting today. There is a number next to your name on a list, they write that number on a sheet next to the number of the ballot paper they give you.

How the hell is that a secret vote?!

OP posts:
TheLambShankRedemption · 08/06/2017 22:09

YANBU I thought the same

Lulu1083 · 08/06/2017 22:11

I saw them do this and checked my ballot slip and there was no identifier on it, I'm guessing this is so the number of votes can be tallied with how many ballot papers have been entered?

notanevilstepmother · 08/06/2017 22:12

I think it is so it can be checked for fraud, I don't think they usually use it.

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 08/06/2017 22:16

Notanevil is correct - its there for fraud detection reasons - so yes, technically your ballot could be traced and checked, but it isn't - can you imagine how much time and money that would cost?. As far as I'm aware every country that uses a 'secret ballot' type vote has a similar (not identical) fraud prevention system in place

ClarkWGriswold · 08/06/2017 22:17

I am wondering this and with the accuracy of the exit polls it makes me even more suspicious. I have never been asked in an exit poll and even if I was I wouldn't tell them my vote? Has anyone else every taken part in an exit poll?

dglv1 · 08/06/2017 22:17

I thought exactly the same! Only my third time voting and I watch everything with an eagle eye! 👀 I did make me 'hmm' for a bit, but then I carried on pretty cheerfully anyway haha

ClarkWGriswold · 08/06/2017 22:17

Ever

dglv1 · 08/06/2017 22:17

I'm also not sure about the use of pencils I'll admit!!Hmm

ImperialBlether · 08/06/2017 22:18

All they can tell is that you've voted, not what you've voted. It's a secret ballot. There's a number on your card that they match with their list, that's all.

Shinesun9 · 08/06/2017 22:20

dglv there were pens at my station...as well as pencils so not sure if someone had left them there on purpose but I used the pen.

Original poster
hellooooooomama · 08/06/2017 22:21

Thanks NeedMore that does make sense. I'm all for anti-fraud!

OP posts:
Asmoto · 08/06/2017 22:22

I doubt the tellers could get away with rubbing out pencil votes - the invigilation is pretty strong.

Marmite27 · 08/06/2017 22:22

There was a note at our station saying they provide pencils but you can use your own 'writing implement' if you so choose

DontMakeMeShushYou · 08/06/2017 22:29

I doubt the tellers could get away with rubbing out pencil votes - the invigilation is pretty strong.

This.

I've attended counts in the past on behalf of a political party. You watch the tellers as they count the papers, and can point out when you think they've put one in the wrong pile, so they certainly couldn't be getting their pencil cases out and changing votes.

Tiredbutfuckingfine · 08/06/2017 22:29

It is possible to use the numbers to trace the vote back. Although the only people with access to the info to be able to do so are presiding officers. At any vote counts I have done you would be caught if you were to start fiddling about noseying at who voted what. To be honest it's a hard slog to get through them all, they blur into one. And the count part is done by machine anyway.
I once had a postal vote where some people got duplicates and sent them both in, and it took 3-4 people 2.5 days to locate those duplicates.

FreeSpiritJen · 08/06/2017 22:33

I saw them do that OP, but didn't see anything identifying me on the ballot paper.

AnUtterIdiot · 08/06/2017 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lifetothefull · 08/06/2017 22:41

It's no secret that it's not fully a secret ballot.

TreesAreLeafy · 08/06/2017 22:47

The count is not done by machine! It's done by hand as I've done it before and I know people doing it this time

Tiredbutfuckingfine · 08/06/2017 22:52

Our council uses a machine, I know as only the top two people are allowed to use it!

StephanieAteMyLunch · 08/06/2017 22:56

I was a young polling clerk and the polling officer who was in charge of running that particular polling station had the same discussion with a chap who was incandescent with rage that his registration number was written on his ballot paper.

He claimed that people would know who he voted for. My polling officer told him nobody gave a shit who he voted for, he wasn't anyone important.

And his vote would be in a box with 1000 other votes. No-one is going to sift through that at the count to find out what Mr Jones of X street voted.

It is purely for fraud purposes and anyone who has been involved in a count knows how many papers they count and how much pressure they are under.

thecraftyfox · 08/06/2017 23:02

Tired, are you in the UK. Which constituencies are counted this way. I have never heard of this and it's not in the electoral commission guidelines I'm sure!

Original poster
hellooooooomama · 08/06/2017 23:03

Great story Stephanie Grin

OP posts:
MyCalmX · 08/06/2017 23:05

Well dh just told his family who I voted for so I came on to say yanbu Grin

user1495025590 · 08/06/2017 23:15

The ballot is not and has never claimed to be secret.At one time (the 50s and 60s I think) electors voting for the communist party were identified and passed to special branch

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