To wonder what's stopping them tampering with the postal votes

[nobeans]

By setting post boxes in key constituencies on fire or otherwise delaying the post collection?

The thing is that the conservatives aren’t focusing their campaigning on super marginal seats, or even marginals. They are clearly worried that they might not hold onto usually safe seats. Why on earth would would they risk getting caught committing a serious crime to win an odd seat here or there in an election that they are overwhelmingly likely to lose decisively no matter what?

If you're in a key seat then some one might pour water in the post box or something

Are you high?

Thank you. Last time we had an election I had 3 different people knock on my door. I lied and told them all yes of course I would vote for them and take a poster. Then I threw it in the bin and voted for my preferred candidate.

I didn't realise they are basically going to lose so there's no point

*Toottooot
Awa bile yer heid min.

Sorry did you just tell me to boil my head?*

This thread is exemplary

Happy to admit it might be a bit off the wall thinking sure. But I just genuinely wanted to know how the system prevents this.

I agree and it's happened before, not saying any more but how else do you think the very detested Sadiq Khan got to be mayor of London again?

I've often thought what's to stop them just making up the results (ie, have a corrupt returning officer who's paid off to just read out the desired figures). It would possibly only work in marginal seats where the result was expected to be close (so the people who counted the actual votes would see the same sort of result as they were getting) but otherwise, who would know?

Surely to have any impact they’d need to burn out post boxes on a massive scale, repeatedly, which might, you know, arouse suspicion?

Wouldn’t ”they” also be burning their own votes?

If you're that worried, hand it in at the council offices or any polling station you'd pass on the way to the post box (for example, near work/kids' school, etc).

We don't live in Russia.

In answer to the best way to ensure your vote arrives and is counted, I would suggest using Owl Post.

What if someone poured water into the ballot box?
It's probably easier to pour water /petrol/ lighted match into a ballot box than a postbox.

There probably is no need to set post boxes alight or stuff, just leave it in the hands of the ever so competent Royal Mail and the same result can be achieved without all the hassle.

Agreed - a few months ago my mother received a postcard posted about 18 years ago. Coincidentally our local sorting office was replacing their machinery about that time.

I've got a postal vote because my photo ID doesn't match the name on my voting card. No one is canvassing where I live because it was already one of the safest Labour seats in the country. I didn't realise I could just hand it in, I will do because I actually like going to vote.

How many other General Elections have had this as an issue?

Don’t know about anyone else but I needed this thread this evening.

OP, you could post your vote in a fireproof wallet? £9 on Amazon.

No, no, no!!!

You must tell us everything!!!!

In excruciating detail!!!!!!

I am probably ‘they’ as I work as a supervisor at election counts. There is no way ‘they’ could make up a result, everything has to tally at least three ways and all the candidates and agents are watching. We even have to show the spoiled papers with spurting cocks drawn on to all the candidates (to be honest, always my favourite part of the night). If it doesn’t tally, we don’t go home.

Also, the police help the Royal Mail to check post boxes for votes right up to 10pm on polling day. Or you can drop them off at your town hall. You will need to fill in a form but it will definitely be in the right place. I have had a postal since I started working the elections as I basically work 8am - 3am with a quick nip home at tea time for shower and food.

How would anyone know what box to target and how people are voting?

You have quite a time frame to vote. It doesn't make any sense nor sound even possible. The logistics of picking a post box that has enough influential votes in at that exact moment would be a miracle

Do you not think someone might notice that post boxes had been set alight, make a public announcement cement about it and invite correspondents to duplicate their mail?

'They' would have to set fire to a lot of post boxes to make a difference - I think some one would notice 😆

And I'm sure all the other people who's non-election related post wouldn't be out with pitchforks raging because their post has been destroyed by these militant postal vote destroyers

Make sure you post it in triplicate. Just in case one gets destroyed.

Why would anyone choose to do that when they could literally be destroying multiple votes for themselves that it could all come down to. I've been a polling officer previously and everything is checked and rechecked rigorously and sometimes completely scrutinised and recounts happen often if the candidates aren't happy or if its close. It's very thorough and no one messes with it.

They also believe this election will have a low turnout due to being right when people are holidaying (in Scotland at least as its School summer hols) so all postal votes are important to everyone.