I'm in an area with a local election for MP, and essentially the town seems to have gone mad the last month. Almost daily flyers, addressed letters etc to myself and my husband from all the candidates/parties, probably enough to fill a bag for life at this point.
I've had to print a 'no canvassing' sign for the front door after almost daily visits from any/all parties, most of which have been so rude, not taking no for an answer when I tell them I'm busy, I've decided my vote, don't want to discuss etc, a couple even taking nearly 5 minutes to leave my door when I didn't answer and was telling them no through the upstairs window! Town centre on weekends has been impossible to walk through without being stopped several times, genuinely had someone with a megaphone last weekend. All the local Facebook groups are full of people complaining about similar, overly persistent people at their doors, giving the voting pitch to children who've opened the door etc. Most end up with loads of comments about just not voting for any of them. A lot of posts about being bombarded by people with clipboards after voting, which I remember being quite intimidated by the last time I voted, part of why I have a postal vote now.
I've always voted, and always will, obviously I know its incredibly important, but all of this seems so off-putting to people who aren't as fussed. I knew who I would be voting for, so a sales pitch at my door is wasted on me, but I can't imagine someone who hasn't looked in to the candidates being interested in listening to it either. I know a few people who have avoided the main parties and voted for independents or smaller ones who have essentially left people alone.
Is all of it actually beneficial in getting people to vote? Or is it just to gage the public opinion, but possibly putting people off in the process?