Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General election 2024

Polling Staff

189 replies

Allthegoodonesareg0ne · 22/05/2024 19:07

So we are back again on July 4th!
Was wondering what kind of conditions you've had to put up with at Polling stations?!
Last elections I was in a tin box in the middle of a field with a portaloo outside. Only reachable by foot, no handwashing facilities or fridge. Was freezing and chucking it down so got soaked every comfort break but at least the milk didn't go off!
Lovely voters though and presiding officer was great to work with so could be worse!

OP posts:
Cyclingmummy1 · 03/07/2024 20:23

My husband says he'd like chocolate hobnobs please @LatteLady

TokyoSushi · 03/07/2024 20:25

Oh any biscuits would be so welcome @LatteLady - I hope you're coming to me!

blametheparents · 03/07/2024 20:36

This thread is really interesting!
My DD (19) is working in a polling station for the first time tomorrow. She’s packed all her food!

One question - can she vote herself? She’s at the polling station where she would normally vote. I do have a proxy vote for her, so her vote will count if she’s unable to vote herself.

xxSideshowAuntSallyxx · 03/07/2024 20:38

Interesting I've never thought of that as I don't work in my constituency.

I've also packed all my food, not looking forward to the day start though.

Cyclingmummy1 · 03/07/2024 20:40

blametheparents · 03/07/2024 20:36

This thread is really interesting!
My DD (19) is working in a polling station for the first time tomorrow. She’s packed all her food!

One question - can she vote herself? She’s at the polling station where she would normally vote. I do have a proxy vote for her, so her vote will count if she’s unable to vote herself.

Edited

Yes, she can. DH did it a couple of elections ago. He's now somewhere else so has to have a postal vote.

SaltBlossom · 04/07/2024 07:35

I can't believe it - I've woken up with an awful sore throat etc and feel dreadful. Meant to be counting tonight! Not sure whether to battle through or let them know early so they can get a replacement.

Sunshineandrainbow · 04/07/2024 08:08

That's rubbish @SaltBlossom
I am not sure they have people standing by but if your not well don't force yourself.
Maybe see how you feel at lunch time.

Sunshineandrainbow · 04/07/2024 08:10

Worked till 1am. And then woke at 6 ffs (excitement!) , I am working today and then at the count overnight. Hoping to sleep between shifts!

Need to get more food today!

Lovely idea about the biscuits they will be really pleased with anything.

anicecuppateaa · 04/07/2024 08:43

I wish I’d signed up, sounds great. I am in the office today so will be voting after work. Will grab some biscuits to take too, good idea!

ibbydibby · 04/07/2024 09:56

Voted this morning 🙂

On arrival I showed the clerk my voter card, and she commented that "oh, your DH voted a little while ago"

I was a bit 😮 and replied that I didn't think she should say things like that. She replied saying it was ok as she hadn't disclosed "how he voted".

I didn't think this was ok, but just wanted to check here...

icelolly99 · 04/07/2024 10:54

@ibbydibby I can understand your reaction but I don't think they would have said it with any agenda - just trying to be friendly and make conversation.

usernotfound0000 · 04/07/2024 20:09

I'm about to head to the count, my first time. Just checking the instructions and it says no backpacks or large bags but to take plenty of refreshments- what am I allowed to take them in?!

Cyclingmummy1 · 04/07/2024 23:39

DH is disappointed that no one brought him any biscuits.

Foxymoxy68 · 04/07/2024 23:50

Just home after a 16 hour shift in a polling station. It was my first time as a poll clerk and I really enjoyed it on the whole. We were so busy that the hours flew by! The only down side was the presiding officer (of the other polling station-there were 2 in one room) who was extremely abrupt and bossy! I had to bite my tongue all day! Don't understand why people have to be like that.

Sunshineandrainbow · 05/07/2024 04:34

Just home from the count.
Absolutely loved it.
Snacks and drinks were provided and very nice.

Shattered now to bed.

rwalker · 05/07/2024 07:48

recommend it to anyone money for old rope

booked a days leave and got paid for this

£200 for what was a relatively quiet rural polling station

did the police commissioner count last time
count was relatively quick but you have to wait and get paid till they’ve all declared

once your on the list they just call you up for the next one

xxSideshowAuntSallyxx · 05/07/2024 10:45

Foxymoxy68 · 04/07/2024 23:50

Just home after a 16 hour shift in a polling station. It was my first time as a poll clerk and I really enjoyed it on the whole. We were so busy that the hours flew by! The only down side was the presiding officer (of the other polling station-there were 2 in one room) who was extremely abrupt and bossy! I had to bite my tongue all day! Don't understand why people have to be like that.

I had the opposite, I was in a double and the other Presiding Officer was a lazy arse who did next to nothing, took an hour for lunch, an hour for dinner, kept disappearing off for ages. Left one of her poll clerks on her own, I actually had to step in and say she needs to get her other poll clerk back before disappearing. Any issues she passed over to me. When they had a queue she didn't step in to help, she sat on her phone and just avoided looking up. At the end of the night she was putting chairs away instead of doing her paperwork.

My own poll clerks all complained to me at different stages during the day. They said it was unfair that we kept having to deal with stuff because she didn't or couldn't.

I have a good relationship with my polling station inspector too, he's been doing it for as long as I have in that polling station, he always comes round for his 3rd visit to check everything is okay and we know what we're doing at close, he said to me with a smile "you're an expert at this now, so I don't need to check but it's always good" he found the form I couldn't find earlier in the day and forgot to look for again so a second pair of eyes also helps. He walked off with a smile, got to her and his face was like thunder.

I'm experienced, been doing it for years, know the staff and other Presiding Officers (and have a reputation to keep, as a relative used to work in the elections office so I have to be good at it). She didn't even talk to me all day, I would have helped her if she asked but I guess she thought she didn't need it. I have the same poll clerks as they ask to work with me so it's not like I'm that bad to work with either.

LatteLady · 05/07/2024 14:24

Just to say the biscuit choice went down well... left the team smiling broadly at 7:30am yesterday.

hangsangwitch · 05/07/2024 17:37

Well I'm still exhausted from yesterday, but I did enjoy it. We were super busy, with a steady stream of voters all day. Lots of young people first timers, babies to smile at and a few dogs. Our presiding officer was fantastic, he hardly sat down all day and was made sure we got a few short breaks and moved around the tasks frequently. I'd probably do it again if was under him.

Voters were generally really nice and patient, with only a couple of grumps.

Right towards the end of the evening a couple came in. The woman was fully veiled but was happy to remove it for ID in the hall after asking her husband permission. He went over to the booth. She followed him over and handed him her ballot paper, which he then marked and put in the box. Shocking really.

Judellie · 05/07/2024 17:45

We were really busy yesterday. Usually we can all 3 get a 15- 20 minute break but yesterday we got a few minutes to run to the kitchen and sort food, then bring it back and eat as we worked - glad there was 3 of us. I took my book but at no point did I manage to read more than a paragraph yesterday - think that might be only the second General Election I've ever done.
Happily the people I work with are lovely.
Glad I took today off tho, too busy to be tired yesterday but shattered today (I stayed up just for the first two results but actually ended up getting up quite early this morning as I was hungry!)

Ellmau · 05/07/2024 19:40

Right towards the end of the evening a couple came in. The woman was fully veiled but was happy to remove it for ID in the hall after asking her husband permission. He went over to the booth. She followed him over and handed him her ballot paper, which he then marked and put in the box. Shocking really.

Is that not against the rules?

hangsangwitch · 05/07/2024 20:06

Ellmau · 05/07/2024 19:40

Right towards the end of the evening a couple came in. The woman was fully veiled but was happy to remove it for ID in the hall after asking her husband permission. He went over to the booth. She followed him over and handed him her ballot paper, which he then marked and put in the box. Shocking really.

Is that not against the rules?

Strictly speaking yes of course. I asked the PO what he should do and he said yes he should speak to the electoral officials who would inveigate and possibly have that vote voided, but she could say that she was illiterate for example and asked for her husband to make her mark for her (which isnt illegal). If any issue was raised, then he would just make sure she had a postal vote next time.

Cyclingmummy1 · 05/07/2024 20:32

hangsangwitch · 05/07/2024 20:06

Strictly speaking yes of course. I asked the PO what he should do and he said yes he should speak to the electoral officials who would inveigate and possibly have that vote voided, but she could say that she was illiterate for example and asked for her husband to make her mark for her (which isnt illegal). If any issue was raised, then he would just make sure she had a postal vote next time.

DH was a PO yesterday and he said he would have queried this and not put it in the box.

hangsangwitch · 05/07/2024 22:11

They turned around and put it in the box super quickly before the PO could even get stood up. As the booths are a sort of triangle with three little platforms, only 1 is clearly visible. I bet this happens all over the place.

xxSideshowAuntSallyxx · 06/07/2024 08:39

I'm still exhausted this morning, woke up realising I'm supposed to be going to a 50th birthday party today and completely forgot and really can't face doing anything not even the gym so a party is out. I was working yesterday but my boss told me to take it easy and finish early. So I booked our Christmas party and did some diary planning whilst watching the tennis.

Most of our voters were fine but there were an increasing number that were just plain rude, especially when I had to tell them they couldn't vote as they didn't register in time (were they living up a mountain for the past few months?!) Or they had a postal vote so couldn't vote in person, I don't care if you've been on holiday it still doesn't change it .

Some were really vile to the tellers too. I spoke to someone in another area and she said her Presiding Officers said the same thing.