SatchFan
Q-School Graduate
Put yourself up for election.
Destroying ballot paper
- Thread starter harpo_72
- Start date
Put yourself up for election.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
I think there should be a box on a Ballot paper that allows you to select 'None of the above'
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
It’s personal choice, but I can also see the argument that if you don’t vote for what ever reason, you can’t really moan about any party, why even go to the polling booth if your not using it, stay at home, it counts just as much.
drdel
Tour Rookie
I take a different stance - the UK is a democracy and thus citizens are asked to choose the best option in their opinion.
Consequently there is a responsibility to vote unless you're so unconcerned and don't give a dam. I cannot believe that no-one can look at the choices and not have a preference - its not about utopia and picking from a wish list, the choice is between people who will all have faults. Whether it is a choice of the best of a bad bunch does not matter we need MPs and everyone can make a selection - if I'm frank vote or don't vote: spoiling the paper just strikes me a childish.
Consequently there is a responsibility to vote unless you're so unconcerned and don't give a dam. I cannot believe that no-one can look at the choices and not have a preference - its not about utopia and picking from a wish list, the choice is between people who will all have faults. Whether it is a choice of the best of a bad bunch does not matter we need MPs and everyone can make a selection - if I'm frank vote or don't vote: spoiling the paper just strikes me a childish.
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SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
I think Australians have to vote by law but do have the option for a 'none of the above'
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
There was a programme on the TV the other day showing what is not acceptable and what is not.
They showed one acceptable paper where the voter had written various derogatory comments across the names of every candidate but had placed an X is one box only.
They showed one acceptable paper where the voter had written various derogatory comments across the names of every candidate but had placed an X is one box only.
People have every right to spoil a ballot. It says I want to vote but none of the candidates are worthy of it. It is a protest vote. Better than not voting at all.
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
Sorry mate, I’m confused, how does someone drawing on it, ticking every box or ticking no boxes or staying at home make any difference to who wins?
All that is stated is X amount of Papers Spoiled, there’s no breakdown or reason given, the reason could be as you describe or so and so is clueless and ticked 2 boxes.
The only reason they are mentioned is to ensure the numbers add up.
In the end I chose not to vote. I didn't like any of the parties on the ballot paper. Why give a vote to the best of the worst if it might mean they still get in? What does it achieve not to vote? In terms of this election just gone, nothing.
The choice of not to vote achieves nothing unless the turn out is so low that parties might fear what happens at the next election if all those no shows turn out. But in reality, a no show achieves nothing.
Some people say if you don't vote you can't moan. How does that work for, say, LibDem voters whose choice didn't get in? As I see it, if you voted Tory and the Tories don't fulfil their pledges you're first in the queue to moan.
Some people say that you have a responsibility to vote, as people fought for your right to vote. They fought for your right to vote, not to make you vote.
The choice of not to vote achieves nothing unless the turn out is so low that parties might fear what happens at the next election if all those no shows turn out. But in reality, a no show achieves nothing.
Some people say if you don't vote you can't moan. How does that work for, say, LibDem voters whose choice didn't get in? As I see it, if you voted Tory and the Tories don't fulfil their pledges you're first in the queue to moan.
Some people say that you have a responsibility to vote, as people fought for your right to vote. They fought for your right to vote, not to make you vote.
There are millions of people who vote each time who's vote doesn't make a difference. In my constituency about 3k voted for the Brexit Party, 2.5k voted for Libdems, 1.5k for Greens and 170 for a Christian Alliance candidate. Are any of those votes more valuable or worthwhile than a spoiled paper? All of the people making those votes would have known their candidate would not win yet they still voted for them. Why?
I didn't spoil this time but I did at the previous election. The options were barely better but I decided I wanted to be more pro active this election.
People may spoil through incompetence but I suspect most are through protest.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I'm a little surprised the turnout was as big as it was..
The last 3 years have rented many people's opinion of politicians and I was almost expecting 50% to not bother.
The last 3 years have rented many people's opinion of politicians and I was almost expecting 50% to not bother.
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
The fact they voted for what they believe in and showed that support.
It might just galvanise their particular choice to continue in the future.
Like I first said, I see both sides, but I don’t get why you have to spoil the paper, just don’t vote, it carries the same weight.
I would like to see a "None of the above" option as a way of registering a vote (of sorts) but have no issue if someone wants to make a protest and spoil the paper. Far better to go out and use your option to mark the ballot paper than sit in apathy
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
If theres the option for none of the above then whats the point in spoiling the paper, what message would it give?
huds1475
Journeyman Pro
Do I have to vote for any of the candidates?
No – if none of the candidates or parties match your ideas or expectations, you can spoil your ballot.
Examples of how to do this include writing your name on the ballot paper, putting more than one cross in the box by the candidates’ names, or leaving the ballot paper blank.
When the votes are counted after the polls close, all spoiled ballots have to be verified – meaning that all the candidates for a given area must look at it and agree that it should be counted as spoiled, rather than a vote for a given person.
If, therefore, you are really unhappy, you can leave your candidates a message on your ballot paper, which they by law will have to read.
No – if none of the candidates or parties match your ideas or expectations, you can spoil your ballot.
Examples of how to do this include writing your name on the ballot paper, putting more than one cross in the box by the candidates’ names, or leaving the ballot paper blank.
When the votes are counted after the polls close, all spoiled ballots have to be verified – meaning that all the candidates for a given area must look at it and agree that it should be counted as spoiled, rather than a vote for a given person.
If, therefore, you are really unhappy, you can leave your candidates a message on your ballot paper, which they by law will have to read.
SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
Can you show us what law that is please?
If you would have ticked a 'none of the above' box then the stats for that will be shown in the ballot results
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
A spoiled ballot paper is simply a ballot paper that does not clearly indicate which candidate the voter intended to vote for. This could be that it has no marks, or that it has too many. It could even be a single "X" - if it is not clear against whose name it has been marked. But even if a paper has extra markings on it (eg the voter has written something like "You're all lying tossers who should be shot") it won't be counted as spoiled provided there is still a clear mark indicating a preference of one candidate over the others. Unless the count is a close (ish) call, most spoiled papers wont be seen by the candidates or their agents - so all "spoiling your paper" does is make the task harder for the people who are actually sorting the ballot papers prior to them being counted . So why would you spoil a ballot paper instead of just not voting? Answer: because you are someone who enjoys making life difficult for a paid employee just for the hell of it.
Ps: forgot tto add... By law, candidates have the right to see spoiled papers - ie they may see them rather than must see them. But in practice they don't unless the counting of those spoiled papers might have an effect on the overall result. If spoiled papers are being examined, then candidates/agents must agree on the status of the paper - eg it's actually a vote for A, or for B, etc - or indeed it is indeterminable & therefore spoiled
Ps: forgot tto add... By law, candidates have the right to see spoiled papers - ie they may see them rather than must see them. But in practice they don't unless the counting of those spoiled papers might have an effect on the overall result. If spoiled papers are being examined, then candidates/agents must agree on the status of the paper - eg it's actually a vote for A, or for B, etc - or indeed it is indeterminable & therefore spoiled
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ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
It’s super important you go to vote, people died so we can do this... a lot of people.
All you have to do is go to a place and make a line one some paper.
It doesn’t have to be in a box, it doesn’t have to count towards anyone but just doing that is important.
I wouldn’t rather we have 90% turnout to vote with 20% spoilt than just 70% turnout.
All you have to do is go to a place and make a line one some paper.
It doesn’t have to be in a box, it doesn’t have to count towards anyone but just doing that is important.
I wouldn’t rather we have 90% turnout to vote with 20% spoilt than just 70% turnout.
