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Original poster

So those people sitting outside the Polling station...

208 replies

ciderhouserules · 04/07/2024 13:48

What are they doing? There was one today (festooned in Yellow rosettes and ribbons) who asked me for my Polling card. I asked why and he said 'just to record that you've turned up'. I just walked away.

The fact that I've voted is recorded by the Polling clerk inside the Polling station, who crosses off my Name and Polling number on the list.

So what do the people sitting outside record from me?

OP posts:
muddyford · 04/07/2024 14:52

My father told me they aren't 'official' before I first voted forty years ago. I say 'good morning ' and breeze past.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 04/07/2024 14:53

tobee · 04/07/2024 14:51

They're not to do with exit polls

No, I realise that; I was just commenting on another thing about the whole electoral process that I find pointless and irritating.

tobee · 04/07/2024 14:53

Maybe it could be construed as being for political gain. But we all shared the numbers with the other parties. Quite civilised.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 04/07/2024 14:54

DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 04/07/2024 14:50

Gives them all something to talk about until the results start rolling in.

Show quote history

Probably people who, as children, couldn't resist feeling all the presents under the tree on Christmas Eve Grin

bookworm14 · 04/07/2024 14:54

They are nothing to do with exit polls and they aren’t supposed to ask how you are voting. All they are there to do is collect polling numbers so they can record who has voted, which means they know which doors they don’t need to knock on later. You aren’t obliged to give them your number, but if you do they aren’t going to use it for nefarious purposes.

Original poster
ciderhouserules · 04/07/2024 14:55

@sashagabadon Yes I know they are always there. It's not my first time voting. I was not rude or dramatic in any way, I'm not sure where the hell you got that from. I simply asked why he wanted my number. I said 'no thanks' and walked away.

I think my personal data is used in quite enough ways, without giving them any more info. I didn't answer my door to any canvassers (Because I was at work, not just because it's the MN way!) so no one knows how I'd vote.

And surely, how I vote is confidential? No one else needs to know, or is legally able to ask.

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 04/07/2024 14:58

@ciderhouserules There is no good time to canvass. If we do it in the day people are at work. If we do it in the evening people complain we're ruining their dinner. If we do it weekend mornings we get people out of bed!

If we DON'T do it people complain that we haven't knocked on their doors

Albatrossing · 04/07/2024 14:58

I'm surprised how upsetting some people are finding the tellers and their role. They really are just trying to make things run smoothly (for their own party of course, but by proxy for everyone, so people aren't knocked up unnecessarily).

Sorry it felt unpleasant OP.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 04/07/2024 15:02

tobee · 04/07/2024 14:50

As this thread proves, plenty of people are conspiracy theorists. But you absolutely don't have to give your number.

So do you make it perfectly clear to people when you approach them - dressed smartly at the door to a polling station - that they absolutely don't have to give you their number?

Wanting to have your privacy respected and not be hassled for personal information by third parties when you're going to take part in a secret ballot does not make you into a conspiracy theorist.

If you think it does, state your real name and address in this thread - because they're already on the electoral roll, aren't they...?!

Bromptotoo · 04/07/2024 15:06

We don't usually get canvassers here becuase it's heavily Tory ward in what is usually an ultra safe seat. Boundary changes, the current turmoil and the relatively well known incumbent stepping down mean Labour have an outside shout.

When we have had them they've been rosetted up say which party they're from and ask 'can we rely on your support'. I think, when it was a Tory in Watford, I managed not to tell him I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire...

Can't remember if it was 64 or 66 when the Labour guy knocked on our door. He turned out to be someone my Mum had been at school with before/during the war and they had a bit of a chin wag. The gent concerned was actually quite prominent in the City's local government being the Lord Mayor for a year.

Died a couple of years ago well into his nineties.

BettyfromBristol · 04/07/2024 15:09

I have just been to vote. The woman sitting at the door was someone I know, a former fellow school mum. Her rosette suggested she supports a different party to me but she's nice, we had a quick chat about our grown up children and that was about it.

No drama, no awkward questions.

ArabellaScott · 04/07/2024 15:17

Tukmgru · 04/07/2024 13:58

Per PP, the parties have access to the electoral registers and if they’ve canvassed you before they’ll likely know which way you’re voting. If you tell them your poll number (though you’re under no obligation to) then they’ll tick you off their lists. Basically, if they think you’re likely to vote for them and they haven’t ticked your name off they’ll probably come round after work to check if you’ve had a chance to vote.

That’s only really the case when they have a good local ground game, enough volunteers and have been doorknocking all year round every year regardless of election season. If they haven’t, then they’re just there for show.

Sounds mildly threatening.

TeenLifeMum · 04/07/2024 15:19

Ours don’t ask who you’re voting for.

ArabellaScott · 04/07/2024 15:19

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 04/07/2024 14:24

YOU know that, but how many other people don't - especially first-time voters or those with learning difficulties or other vulnerabilities?

You go to vote, taking your polling card with you, as you've been told that it can save time if you have it. Then, you get to the polling station and somebody outside the door, in smart clothes, approaches you and asks to see your polling card.

How on earth would you possibly instinctively know that you can decline to show it to them - and that they are seeking to politically gain from your personal information, rather than being an official neutral steward who is a standard part of the voting process?

It's the political equivalent of somebody hanging around at the door of the GP's surgery in a sharp suit and holding a clipboard, stopping you as you go in and asking you to confirm your name, address and the purpose of your visit - as they have a 'miracle natural cure' that they are selling and want to get your details for marketing it to you, by acting in a way that many people would assume meant they legitimately worked for the surgery.

Show quote history

It's giving me Bounty vibes.

Turn up to new mothers a couple of hours after traumatic birth, with a clipboard and brisk attitude, demand all your data, and then fuck off and sell it.

TheChosenTwo · 04/07/2024 15:20

I’ve been a teller a few times before, have a couple of family member who have stood quite a bit over the years.
I enjoy it tbh, I’m identifiable with my rosette and am polite when asking for polling numbers, most give them no bother and the few that don’t either don’t have their cards or just don’t want to share. Mostly it’s because they are suspicious that we can see who they are voting for (impossible 😂😂😂). We aren’t allowed to go inside the building and check the official clerks list, it’s just a volunteer role for making sure that anyone who was expected to come and vote (because they had previously indicated they were a supporter and would be voting) has turned up or whether they might need ringing and reminding. No one will be turning up knocking on your door if you haven’t voted unless the party was expecting you to vote as you’d indicated your wish to do so previously.
I only ever do an hour or two after work; people are generally very kind and some will offer a tea or coffee if it’s cold (I don’t drink either but it’s always appreciated as a good gesture).
I’m not doing it today but I gave my number to the one teller who was sitting at my local polling station! It’s no skin off my nose.

TheChosenTwo · 04/07/2024 15:22

Ps I don’t dress smartly to be a teller 😂 usually leggings and a sweatshirt with a coat, it’s been cold in May too many times to consider dressing anything other than practically!

DeedlessIndeed · 04/07/2024 15:27

Funnily enough we've just had a SNP lady knock at the door asking if my husband had voted yet as they hadn't seen him down at the polling station.

She was perfectly pleasant, I guess they are expecting that the seat will be hotly contested and they are trying to drum up support. Might be scraping the barrel a bit though, DH isn't a SNP member and hasn't ever said that he's voted SNP.

AmelieTaylor · 04/07/2024 15:27

sabadoo · 04/07/2024 14:31

I have done this in the past and it’s a case of dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. Lots of people mention that there wasn’t even anyone to represent the party at the polling station if there is nobody there and if there is you get abuse because people don’t like the party you represent, you can’t win.

It’s because the local candidate can’t be everywhere at once so there is a party member who will stand in for them to answer any questions people may have or to help with lifts etc. Most people don’t love doing it but they are perhaps passionate about the party or candidate and want to help. You aren’t under any obligation to talk to them but no need to be rude to them. Just say no thanks an move on.

@sabadoo

perhaps if THEY introduced themselves instead of pretending they're there as part of the actual voting process they'd get a better response.

having some bloke step in front of me at the door saying 'Have you got your voter ID' in an agressive manner didn't exactly bring out the best in me. I said 'yes' (tersely),rolled my eyes & he said 'go in then' I was // this close to telling him if he hadn't rudely got in my way, I would have been in by now.

aggressive fucking toss pot!!

& that's coming from someone who happily talks to anyone, just not when they step in front of me in a doorway, stopping me entering with NO right to do so.

GalacticTowelMaster · 04/07/2024 15:30

Bromptotoo · 04/07/2024 13:56

They're there for whichever party's rosette they wear.

Are you in a seat that's likely to have a tight result?

If they've canvassed the area then they'll have identified the people who might support them. If, by later today, they've got potential voters who've not yet cast their ballots then they might be called at their door and reminded the election's on and would a lift to the polling place be any use.

We had a teacher at school back in the seventies who told us about this stuff under the general heading of civics.

He also told a tale of an elderly lady of strong Labour persuasion who'd accept a lift from the Tory and tie the car/driver up for an hour by faffing round at home, in the polling place and then asking if they minded stopping at the corner shop for her fags and a bottle of milk stout!!

Ha love this. Guerilla tactics 🤣

listsandbudgets · 04/07/2024 15:31

@ArabellaScott I find it hard to compare the process of voting with a traumatic birth Confused

AmelieTaylor · 04/07/2024 15:35

bookworm14 · 04/07/2024 14:54

They are nothing to do with exit polls and they aren’t supposed to ask how you are voting. All they are there to do is collect polling numbers so they can record who has voted, which means they know which doors they don’t need to knock on later. You aren’t obliged to give them your number, but if you do they aren’t going to use it for nefarious purposes.

If they knock on my door later (they didn't get my number) they'll be told it's none of their business 🤷🏻‍♀️

ArabellaScott · 04/07/2024 15:38

listsandbudgets · 04/07/2024 15:31

@ArabellaScott I find it hard to compare the process of voting with a traumatic birth Confused

It was tellers and Bounty reps I was comparing. You're right, giving birth is nothing like voting.

Chersfrozenface · 04/07/2024 15:40

I doubt anyone will be knocking on my door.

The two canvassers who did call in the last fortnight I told to fuck off that I wouldn't be voting for them and why. And told one that I'd voted for his party for 40 years but no more. I hope they made notes not to call again.

Theunamedcat · 04/07/2024 15:42

People have complained in my area so this year there was a gentleman on the outside telling me which side to go to on the inside and said a lady inside will ask for your details you don't have to tell her "she isn't one of us" 😂

StickyProblem · 04/07/2024 15:43

They really annoy me and IMO it shouldn't be allowed. We always have them. Today it was a Lib Dem who advanced upon me with "can I just see the information on your poll card"
I said "are you an official of the polling station?" She said "no" and I walked on and told my family she wasn't official. As others have said they get information by giving the impression they are official. I saw people digging in their bags to show her ID.

Then I looked a right idiot because the next person who popped up and said "can I see your poll card" I barked "Are you official?" And walked on. Turned out he was an actual poll clerk trying to streamline his queue. He ran after me and showed me his pass Grin

Polls indicate my constituency is very close Labour-Tory, Lib Dems are expected to get about 15% so I can't imagine what good the data will even do them. Their candidate lives 30 miles away where they are a councillor in a different county!