Vote counters, poll clerks, presiding officers, tellers - how was your night?

[MojoMoon]

I know from a previous post that there were quite a few mumsnetters who were poll clerks and presiding officers or involved in vote counting or other important roles in our election

I imagine you've been asleep all morning recovering.

How was it at your polling station or at your count? Did everything go smoothly? Were there supplies of good biscuits and tea?! Was your count quicker or slower than normal?

Will you volunteer again to do it?

I was involved for the first time, counting at the main Edinburgh centre. My area was Edinburgh West. I’d definitely do it again. It was interesting and not nearly as arduous as I thought it would be. I quite enjoyed the methodological nature of it and it was satisfying to sort all the ballots and have the numbers add up! Edinburgh West declared around 4am so once the ballots were stored away we could leave. There had been a fair amount of waiting between counts but it went quickly.

The coffee was not great but still appreciated though they took it all away around 1:30/2am leaving us to buy from the onsite cafe. We were all given a lunch bag around midnight with a sandwich, crisps, drink and chocolate (KitKat dark!).

Labour obviously had the best night and all their activists and supporters were doing a lot of cheering as the results came in from elsewhere.

I've been on the list for vote counting for about 40 years, I don't necessarily get asked every time to do it.
I counted last night, went as it usually did, a lot of sitting about between times whilst the boxes are delivered then verified. The food was OK, snack bag of sandwich, crisps and a chocolate bar, though in previous years it was much better, like a smorgasbord of food! I fondly remember the coffee cup cakes!
The pay system was different this time, years ago they paid by the hour, then it was a flat rate no matter how long it took and this time they went back to paying hourly.
I was with a couple of lovely people, we had a good laugh and a chat in between times and I always enjoy it.
I'd do it again, it's a bit of a mare the day after, I just keep going and don't sit down.
I got home about 5.30, got to sleep about 6 ish then up about 10 for a shower then the nursery run, got the school run to do in a minute.
It went well, 2 seats to be counted, one overturned the sitting MP who apparently went out with a face like a slapped arse but I didn't see that.
All in all, a good night.

Flat rate pay definitely sounds unfair especially if it goes to a recount!

If it goes to a recount, as a Scottish one is I believe on Saturday, I should imagine they would have to pay the counters again if they were paying a flat rate. Buggered if I'd do it for nothing!
I don't know if it's council dependent whether they pay hourly or flat rate, be interested to hear from other vote counters in different areas?

I hated watching those two seats race to be first to declare I'd much rather it was done slowly

City of Edinburgh Council pays a flat rate of £188.something gross for the night. This year, anyway.

Counted overnight. Declaration came earlier than expected but it appeared a very slick operation. Home in bed by 3am.

We get paid by the part hour. My council is quite tight! We only had one 15 mins break and finished at 5am ish. Tea, coffee, water, crisps and biscuits provided.

I was at the overnight count this election, so I was beyond sleepy when I got home this morning. I was at the count till about 7 am. Count was slower than usual - some polling stations returned their boxes late, and there were several recounts for initial verification and votes. They've cut back hugely on supplied nosh this year so all we got was bottled water, cereal bars and fruit. Have been a count assistant and a poll clerk at several elections. It always feels good to help facilitate the process and I truly enjoy it. Only issue is it takes a few days for the tiredness to wear off. Oh, and my (English) council pays by the hour for counters and flat rate for poll clerks.

I did the overnight count for the first time.
Arrived 9.30 and left at 4am. Got paid £160
Really enjoyed it, downside was I found the ballot papers quite thick to flick easily and count but I survived.
Hot drinks and water.
Crisps, biscuits, nice fruit, Costco brownies and cookies.

Didn't eat any of the food I took and had planned for weeks!

Interesting. Last time I did it at flat rate it was £150, South West council. Perhaps different because you're in Scotland? Or different councils get to decide? Anyone from a council got any insight? Thanks.