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General election 2024

How to spoil your ballot paper

201 replies

CandidateX · 03/07/2024 15:22

I am not telling anyone what to do. I am giving information. This is because I have seen how posters are treated on other threads giving this information, and it isn't very nice!

Do what ever you want, but here is some information about spoilt ballot papers.

If you write on your paper, whatever message, it will NOT BE READ. Except maybe by the counter that puts it into the spoilt ballot paper list. But only if they have time to read it, mostly not.

It will be held up and agreed to be spoilt, in front of a committee open to all parties. but they won't read it, and the person holding it up won't read it. No one has time. Many papers are spoilt. Everyone is tired and busy. No one will be standing close enough to read the words.

There is a lot of talk about spoilt ballot papers being scrutinised by candidates, and this is how to get a message across to them.

NOT TRUE

Ballot papers are not scrutinised if they have been written across.

I have a list of circumstances when I might ask to inspect a paper closely, and papers written on don't come into it. I would not waste my time or anyone else's time on a paper that is clearly deliberately spoilt, because the business of the night is count votes, and there are literally tens of thousands to count, and that is clearly not one of them

The ones that are scrutinised are the ones that MIGHT have a valid vote on them.

So if you want to put a message on your paper to be scrutinised, then it must have something on it that might be counted as a valid vote. That way, people in the confirmation committee will be looking closely at your paper, and only then will they see the message.

A paper that is signed is invalid if the signature can be read.

If you want to spoil your paper then you need to make it worthy of discussion, about whether it has a vote on it or not.

So I suggest a CLEAR vote, for whichever party you dislike least. And your written comment that you want to be read. And a scrawled signature, which is not your name, and not legible.

This, I think, might get your comments read by agents of different parties - because they will be discussing whether this is a valid paper or not, and does that vote count, and is that signature legible. Your vote might or might not be counted in the end, probably not, but possibly, so don't do this if you definitely don't want to be counted.

Of course, the message might still not be mentioned to the candidate, or to anyone else at all, but this is the only way I can think of to get comments on a spoilt ballot paper read, because otherwise it doesn't happen, it is just a count for the spoilt paper party, and no one knows or cares why.

OP posts:
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stressedespresso · 03/07/2024 15:27

Your title should really read: How to be pointlessly immature.

easytip · 03/07/2024 15:28

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ageratum1 · 03/07/2024 15:28

I think you lack understanding, op!
The number of spoiled papers is recorded and that is the message to all candidates- none of you are worthy of my vote.
That is the reason for a spoiled ballot paper.
If you want to send a more sophisticated message then you would write to the candidate.

easytip · 03/07/2024 15:30

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Rebusmyfire · 03/07/2024 15:31

I understood they count the amount of spoilt ballot papers and that is part of the stats.

Yippiddy · 03/07/2024 15:32

Living life on the edge 😅

Zonder · 03/07/2024 15:33

This is actually really useful. Some people think if they write a message on their vote people will read and take note. Nope.

stressedespresso · 03/07/2024 15:35

Zonder · 03/07/2024 15:33

This is actually really useful. Some people think if they write a message on their vote people will read and take note. Nope.

Some people also think that parties will take spoilt ballot papers to heart. Nope. Nobody cares.

CandidateX · 03/07/2024 15:35

I am simply trying to give information, as there is so much disinformation on MN about spoilt ballot papers. I am not telling anyone want to do. I am just explaining, the best I can, for people who want to take that option, the best way to try and get the effect they are hoping for, as a lot of people think a paper that is written on is going to be read by the candidates, and it won't be.

OP posts:
CassieMaddox · 03/07/2024 15:36

Thank you OP. I cannot understand the mindset behind spoiling a ballot, it's a cop out imo and a waste of time for the counters.
If one genuinely doesn't care, abstain. Save your time and the counters time.

If one gives even the vaguest of a shit, vote for whoever you decide.

So many people recommending spoilt votes I'm starting to suspect nefarious processes at work 👀

SlothOnARope · 03/07/2024 15:38

Life's too short for all this crap, surely?

Just vote like an adult, even if you are a very disillusioned and angry one.

pocketheart · 03/07/2024 15:38

Nobody is interested in anyone's spoilt ballot paper.
Nobody looks at your message etc
It's literally a pointless exercise, spineless exercise.
Totally laughable.

Don't vote and instead write to your local politicians, visit their surgeries etc

Jutemat · 03/07/2024 15:46

Don't you draw a large phallus?

Zonder · 03/07/2024 15:47

It's quite rude to say a spoilt ballot paper is spineless. Lots of people would like a none of the above option so they can register that they were interested enough to vote. I can't imagine doing it myself but I respect people who do.

TheNuthatch · 03/07/2024 16:01

Thanks for the info.

easytip · 03/07/2024 16:04

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Flapjacker48 · 03/07/2024 16:05

As someone who has worked in electoral admin I can assure you that neither the staff or the candidates care about any written comments - in whatever place or position it is.

DrSpartacular · 03/07/2024 16:06

Voting for "none of the above" is a legitimate ballot option in many states around the world. As we do not have that option, a spoilt ballot is the only way to still show up and be counted if we don't want to opt for any of the available options. I would welcome a "none of the above" box to tick.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/None_of_the_above

None of the above - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/None_of_the_above

Jutemat · 03/07/2024 16:06

Flapjacker48 · 03/07/2024 16:05

As someone who has worked in electoral admin I can assure you that neither the staff or the candidates care about any written comments - in whatever place or position it is.

Does a large cock and balls raise a smile or is there no time for that?
Always seems to be a national race and Newcastle/Sunderland want to be the quickest to reveal.

easytip · 03/07/2024 16:06

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DrSpartacular · 03/07/2024 16:07

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Why?

KatPurrson · 03/07/2024 16:09

Stop trying to trick people into disenfranchising themselves.

easytip · 03/07/2024 16:10

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boys3 · 03/07/2024 16:11

CandidateX · 03/07/2024 15:35

I am simply trying to give information, as there is so much disinformation on MN about spoilt ballot papers. I am not telling anyone want to do. I am just explaining, the best I can, for people who want to take that option, the best way to try and get the effect they are hoping for, as a lot of people think a paper that is written on is going to be read by the candidates, and it won't be.

Accurate information might be a good starting point. Maybe give that some consideration.

easytip · 03/07/2024 16:11

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