For whom did you vote? Exit polls.

[HoppityBun]

Do people always answer this question when leaving the voting station? And if you answer, do you answer truthfully? Would you ever be able to answer untruthfully in order to confuse the bastards?

It’s a secret ballot.

It really annoys me that people are asked this question in the first place and so many times I’ve seen voters reply immediately, without thinking, as though the person asking is entitled to know. It’s as though it would be rude to refuse to say who got your votes.

I think it’s reasonable, at least, first to think and to decide whether or not you want to answer. I’m always tempted to say that I voted for a different party from the one I voted for, because this all irritates me so much, but I find it very difficult to lie.

Electoral reform started in the early 19th century but it was a huge issue to enable people’s votes to be private and less open to influence as a result. It’s strange that, given Boris Johnson’s tiresome wish to make everyone identify themselves before they can vote, in order to preserve electoral integrity, he didn’t also make it compulsory that anyone asking this question should make clear that saying who you voted for is voluntary. The question should be “may I know who you voted for?“

I dislike being asked in this context. It can seem quite threatening, even if not intended that way. I don’t really see the point either, because so few people will answer or may answer untruthfully.

It depends who is around. I won’t answer if there are candidates or their team around, or if I know the person asking the question (which is common as we’re rural).

I've never been asked for an official exit poll. Sometimes there are people waiting outside, but it's been a while so I can't remember if they ask for your polling card or who you voted for - they've always been local party volunteers. I always decline to answer.

Actually I now realise I’m not sure who’s asking. I think once there were 2 sets of people, otherwise it’s just someone sitting on a chair outside the door. They should identify themselves, I think

Usually the people asking are not exit pollsters - they're representatives of political parties trying to get data on people. It's advisable not to give them any info.

Exit pollsters tend to only operate on General Election days at a few constituencies (usually the same ones every time)

I’ve previously been asked and am pretty sure I told them. Can’t get too excited about it.

Yes, if they were doing an official poll they would have to tell you that, so it will be party workers/volunteers. I think it's a bit dodgy that they are allowed to sit there and ask.

So far I would always be happy to say, but I can easily imagine loads of circumstances under which I wouldn't.

I've never been asked for an exit poll or by tellers. I've been asked my polling card number by tellers and haven't minded sharing that. I wouldn't mind sharing who I voted for in an exit poll.
There was a sign up in our polling station today saying what tellers can and can't do/ask for, but there weren't actually any there.

Number takers for political parties are literally just doing that. It’s so that the party volunteers can check who has actually been out to vote. Not how you voted.
This is used later in the day or early evening to offer lifts to people who, according to their records, have voted for their party traditionally.

Yes I thought that was the case - as I said, I have never been asked for who I voted for, just my number to show that I have voted. Can't see why I wouldn't share that.

I’m specifically asking about people on the door who ask who you voted for.

Last time I was asked, I just said 'its a secret' and walked on. DH thought it was rude, but I don't think it was. Tbh that's not true, I don't really care if it was, its a rude question imo.

@HoppityBun
Yes I was merely clarifying re number takers
I’ve never been asked by an official exit poll worker but would be fine to answer.