Coordinating spoilt ballots

[Binglebong]

I know there is a thread about have you spoilt your ballot but this is slightly different.

I'm trying to hold my nose and vote for someone but there is not a single potential MP in my constituency who does not disgust me. I don't want to vote Reform or someone as a protest as it might be seen that they have more support than they do. So the liklihood is that I will spoil my vote.

I know spoilt votes only really get looked at if there is a huge number or if the vote is close. But just in case I was wondering if it is worth having the same thing written on all of them to show that it is a massive issue that is losing them votes. What would you suggest (if you think it is a good idea).
Respect my sex if you want my X is a good one but is it the best?

Following as I want to do exactly this. And I’m doing a postal vote so need to decide exactly what to put soon!

Posted on the other thread but I was thinking:

Woman = adult human female

As the most simple one.

What about: Women Won't Wheesht?

Currently thinking about how to spoil my ballot (or not) in a way that means it might need to be looked at by more than one person for a decision on its validity. Probably by writing a message within one of the boxes.

Genuinely, it's a waste of time. It just gives extra work at the count and they're not really the people who will institute change.
Just stay at home if there isn't a good candidate.

If you spoil your ballot (I'm still undecided but considering it for the first time ever for several reasons), it's important to make it very clear it's intentionally spoilt.

If you want to write about a specific issue or concern, do that, but add it in after writing something like "I'm intentionally spoiling my ballot. None of the above"

Info below on what happens if it's unclear whether a ballot is intentionally spoilt or not.

The Electoral Commission have released guidance on dealing with doubtful papers on a range of different elections and types of election on their website.

What is interesting to see is that any mark that is seen to support a candidate is counted as a vote, and this could be anything from a smiley face to messages to drawings.

In the 2019 Local Elections, Cotswold District Council had the interesting case of two candidates who initially drew on votes, but one candidate was able to successfully argue that on one of the spoilt ballot papers, the word ‘Brexit’ and an arrow next to his name was evidence of a vote for him. As a result the Returning Officer allowed it and they won the vote. As papers are taken at face value, candidates and agents are able to argue for cases like this.

https://votingcounts.org.uk/spoilt-ballot

Don't tell us how to vote, or not. It's an individual choice.

😂I never told you how to vote!! 😂

Thank you, @Againname , thats actually genuinely interesting information.
I've been at counts and although it's irritating, they are considered (not what people write, mind, just whether or not it's an actual vote).

Totally disagree Corinthiana. I've said this on a different thread, but In Manchester when we had the first election for Police Commisioner there were so many spoilt ballot papers it was on the news.
Since then we have never had an elected PC.
If you just stay home it looks like apathy.
If you spoil your ballot paper it shows you think none of the candidates are fit to be your MP. 7 people standing in my area, and none of them deserve my vote

Spoilt ballots are a mark of vanity. Pure and simple. "I want to show them how I feel" is not taking action.

Not sure if I'll vote or not, I always have previously but my choices are the devil or the deep blue. I refuse to disrespect the women who fought for my right to vote by not turning up so I was thinking about writing JK4PM as it's the shortest coherent message I can think of.
@Enoughwiththisshit it would fit inside the box on the ballot paper if you wrote it small.

respect my sex if you want my x and none of these reflect my views was on my postal vote.
I am seeing media reports which say a lot of women will be doing this so they are more likely to be noticed. I am concerned about when/ if postal votes arrive and get properly counted. Does anyone know if it is possible to check somehow?Given that your name and voter number is in the envelope, it should be possible. Are they checked off on the same list or a different one?

Fair point, @Redshoeblueshoe , if that's what happened. I respect anyone's rights and (please note) would never tell anyone how to vote, or what to do.
This was just my experience at being at many counts over the years.

You told us not to bother rather than spoiling our ballot. I don't want to judge, but you seem to lack reading comprehension.

Exactly.

How many spoilt votes would it take for our concerns to be acknowledged?

The more the merrier!

Nope. I didn't tell you to do anything. I do understand the democratic process. It was advice. You don't take it? Fine.

I think definitely don't write in a box (or write in all of them) so it can't be seen as a vote for a particular candidate. Will it be more likely to get picked up by the press if all spoilt votes say the same thing?

Edited for stupid typos.

If this is what you want to do then go for it. Please don’t moan about whichever Government you get though. You will have thrown away your right to influence who governs us.

The problem is that no-one seems to listening to what a fairly large democratic want. I don't want any of the self absorbed elite (in my area at least)to be able to say they represent me.

That's not how democracy works 😆
You are still allowed to complain, campaign and criticise government, no matter whether you voted or not, or who you voted for.
So dramatic!
I'm going with #adulthumanfemale

This. It's a vain tantrum that achieves exactly nothing.

I used to think this. But then I realised it was worse if a government I voted for got in and decimated the country. Now I think a protest shows that things are not good enough and that it is not apathy- if there are enough protests it can get noticed.