Spoilt ballot paper as valid protest 'vote'?

[Gashtray]

Not telling whether or not I did this, but what do people think about the validity of spoiling one's ballot paper as a form of protest?

Genuinely interested to hear views on this.

Totally agree sanfairyann

I think a spoiled paper could also be viewed as a protest against the FPTP system, in favour of something fairer.

It depresses me that a candidate can win a seat, even with well over half of their contituents voting against them!

As long as a person provides evidence of being arsed to vote, by rocking up and voting or by rocking up and spoiling their ballot paper, that's fine by me.

Spoilt votes are counted.

If I go to a polling station, am handed a ballot paper, place a mark on that paper (whether it be a cross in the box next to a person's name or a scribble across the paper saying 'none of the above - they're all wankers') my vote is still counted as someone who has gone to a polling station to cast their vote, even if it's a protest vote in a 'safe' constituency in the form of spoiling one's ballot.

I reserve my right to vote, even if that means I write 'I am a fish' 20 times across the ballot paper. My vote is my vote, and if I don't feel that any of the standing candidates represent my views or feelings on a local or national level I reserve the right to make my feelings known by spoiling my vote.

p.s. I voted for Kevan Jones tonight. I was very tempted to write 'no suitable candiate' on my ballot paper but ultimately I voted on a local level. Durham North held it's Labour stronghold.

I considered it too because I was/am genuinely over it all tbh. I didn't though.

Here in Australia where it is compulsory for everyone on the electoral role to vote, it is a regular thing for ballot papers to be spoiled - it's known as a "donkey vote".

I can't stress how important it is to vote. Even if you don't wish to vote for any of the candidates represented in your constituency it's then vital to put a line across the voting sheet and write none. This does get counted and would be seen as a protest vote. To do nothing would be a shame. The more people who did this because they don't want to vote for what's on offer the better.

Totally pointless, I am very involved in politics, and have often been involved with fighting over spoiled votes. The vast majority are from people who may have intention, but don't know how to vote, or have literacy issues (STV system). I have seen great witticisms , but other than a giggle at the counting centre, they go no further.

The way to make a point is to participate in the democratic process and vote.

Just not showing up or purposely ruining your ballot - lame and pointless.

Turning up at the polling station is what is counted, not the spoilt vote. When you hand over your polling card or give your address to the poll clerk you're crossed off a numbered list to ensure one person one vote. Spoilt votes are only handed to party representatives in a very close recount situation. Otherwise they're binned. I'm an ex councillor and have attended many election counts.

You're exercising your right to vote so personally I think that's better than not voting at all. Absolutely no time for people who don't vote; people have died and are still dying for that right.

I see nothing wrong with writing, I disagree with this voting system, on your ballot paper, if it's true.

I can't really understand objections. Aren't people who can't see the point missing it (literally)? The point is what's written.

Though it's pretty relevant today, I will point out that this thread is a zombie from the previous general election.

This is the prescribed way of spoiling a ballot

I've considered doing it before.

My constituency has been Conservative since the 19th century (the boundaries have changed but still).

So I have the choice between voting tactically for a very small chance of getting the Torys out, or voting for the party I want (who get less than 10% of the vote in my constituency).

My mom used to vote sometimes for the Monster Raving Loony party, which I guess is similar... she never wanted them to win, she wanted to say "even these idiots would make a better government"

lots of people spoiled their ballots in the elections for local police and crime commissioners, as they didn't believe policing should be politicised. And I thought that was a valid way of protesting.

I believe that drawing a cock and balls on the paper is a common alternative to scrawling "none of the above" on the ballot form.

I drew the cock on my police commissioner ballot, it was a stupid pointless exercise. Even though it was childish, it made my opinion clear. I think that election secured the highest number of spoilt votes ever