Spoiling my ballot

[Muststopfaffing]

I’ve decided to spoil my ballot in December. I cannot vote for the shit shows that are the Lib Dems, Labour or the Greens and even if the Tories had a better stance on women’s rights I can’t in all good conscience vote for them. I’m fuming that there is no one I can vote for as I feel very strongly that as so many fought for us to get the vote, and while so many women across the world don’t have it, all women should vote. I’m hoping the Suffragettes will forgive me- “No self respecting woman...” and all that. Plus, one party has had a 20,000+ majority in every election in my constituency since time began.

I have been wondering what I’m going to write on my ballot paper though. I want to write something that will get the message across to someone who has no idea what’s going on. I thought about the classic sticker woman “women don’t have penises” but I suspect round my rural neck of the woods that might be too subtle- as if anyone could think anything except only men have penises! I’ve also thought about “Google the Cotton Ceiling” but I’m not sure that’s right either.

For anyone who’s planning to spoil their ballot, what are you going to write?

I'm in a safe Tory seat. It's almost a relief as I don't know if I could bring myself to vote Labour as usual
I am just waiting for each candidate to reply to my email re women's rights but will likely spoil
I think we should all put the same phrase to draw attention to it

I'm not going to spoil my ballot but if I were, I would write Woman = Adult Human Female.

I have been forced to do this too, not sure what I will write though. Trying to come up with a punchy on point one-liner

Woman = Adult Human Female

The erosion of women's rights is not really an issue to most parties, they have not thought it through (especially the low-level ballot checkers, I suspect) so while Woman = Adult Human Female is a pretty important and loaded expression to us, I worry that someone checking a spoiled ballot might just go "huh?". Most women recounting canvassers at the door describe candidates or representatives who seem to have no idea women's rights are being eroded.

I'm spoiling my paper.

Was going to write 'Woman = Adult Human Female', but somebody else had suggested 'Protect Women's Rights'.

But absolutely no one will take any notice of what you've written. It's like shouting into a pillow for all its heard.
Yes it shows that a certain percentage of people dislike/refuse to vote for any party indicating a volume of people who don't feel represented...but no one will really know why you don't feel represented as no one will take notice of what you write.

The candidates just glance at the paper to see if it is a valid vote or not. They won’t give a monkeys what you actually write.

I will know what I've written Bianca

I've also been on enough of these threads (as well as being present at a count) to spot that what you're saying about others not noticing just isn't the case.

I've got my postal vote here now and I am stuck.

I think the Conservative candidate will get re-elected again (supportive and against GRA, but it means Brexit); but there is a serious challenge being mounted by Lib Dems (good work locally and remainers, but anti-women),

Who the fuck do I vote for?
The other candidates are not relevant for me for various reasons.

I’m the same. I’ve got my postal vote but I’m absolutely paralysed with indecision on what to do. What a fucking mess.

I feel for you. My local Tory MP has such an overwhelming majority safe seat that the decision has been somewhat 'easier'

Mind you, having read the current Jo Swinson/Angela Rayner on Andrew Marr thread, I couldn't vote for anybody in good conscience.

As said above no one cares about spoiled votes, they are glanced at and put in a pile. As ABBA sang ‘winner takes it all’. Best vote for the least worst like most people

If the Brexit Party is standing it may be worth throwing a vote to them to send a message to Lab/Lib/Green, and I say that as a committed remainer.

Ihave been doing election counts for over 20 years and noone cares what is written on the ballot paper it is just counted as a spoilt vote

...been doing election counts for over 20 years and no one cares what is written on the ballot paper.

A prize surely for the best willy?

I feel the same, there's no one I can vote for in good conscience.

I won't vote for the removal of women's rights.

Please please please vote. For the best of the worst. If you spoil your vote you are doing a disservice to everyone. No one gives a fuck what you write on the ballot paper.

Miss have you returned to the Caitlyn Jenner thread you started on here yet?

no one will take notice of what you write

This is completely correct.

If you think you will send a message, you are mistaken. Potentially spoiled papers are scrutinised only to see if the marks on then could be construed as a valid vote (so, yes there is a sort of prize for the 'best willy' because if it is drawn within one box only, it could be claimed).

Tellers make no note of what words are written, and candidates/agents pay not attention, nor are they ever reported.

If you decide to write, it is for your own satisfaction only.

I’m a lurker on this board but have learnt so much (thank you!) and I’m trying to do what I can in terms of discussing with friends, signing petitions, writing to MP etc.

I have no idea what do to as I am in a Conservative marginal seat. They won by just a few votes last time with Labour a very close second. I hate what the Tories have done since they have been in power and can’t in all conscience vote for them, but I really don’t feel I can vote for labour either at the moment (or the Greens or Lib Dem’s). There are no independents so I feel that spoiling my ballot is the only logical action. I’m reading mixed opinions on whether it’s worth it or not! Argh!! Help!!!

@Handoffmyrights but with all due respect, how does that help anyone?

I'm going to write AFH but underneath "none of the above".

Leckford as you wrote this on the ' Only consenting to receiving medical treatment from a female is not acceptable' thread, you'll forgive me for not taking your 'advice' again.

'If you have ‘religious’ issues or anything else you have the option to go private and choose which doctor/specialist you see. If not shut up'

In your position, Thismonkey, I’d hold my nose and vote labour. Corbyn won’t be around for much longer.