'You need less ID to vote than to park or bank' blog discussion

dzug1

Butti wrote: »

Emweaver, this is wrong. If you turned round and said 'I've spoilt my ballot paper they have to give you another one'. If this happens to ANYONE in future I would suggest offering to make a telephone call to the local paper

B

If they have reason to believe you are playing silly beggars they do have the right to refuse - but it would be unusual to do this. And if you don't hand the spoilt one back you certainly won't get it replaced. That spoilt paper has to be produced and accounted for at the end of the day.

Edit:

Actually my rather faded memory says they have to be satisfied you spoilt it inadvertently. So if it's obvious you were larking about and spoilt it - no replacement.

Owain_Moneysaver

savetilibleed wrote: »

I absolutely agree - it is mad how easy you could vote, claiming to be someone else. I wonder what would happen if the real person turned up later

The subsequent voter would be given a tendered ballot paper. The Electoral Commission's guidance manuals, which Presiding Officers work to, are available online.

In 10+ years of working at elections, I think I've only encountered this happening once.

Owain_Moneysaver

esuhl wrote: »

I was at a polling station with my mother roughly 8 or 10 years ago and was given a large-print copy of the ballot slip as she is partially-sighted. Apparently the large-print version is just to help, and she should also have been given a standard ballot slip on which to cast her vote. She asked for one and was told it had been given to her. I was standing right next to her and know for certain that this was a lie.

I was going to say Please report this to your local Returning Officer then I noticed the time delay. We had 3 large print papers - two for display, and a laminated one that voters could take into the booth if they wanted.

Old_Wrinkly

The mother could also (if her eyesight was bad enough) be allowed to have the daughter mark it for her.

Hollypear

I once worked in a care of the elderly home. Most residents got postal votes. Most residents wouldn't have been able to complete them due to mental health issues, arthritis in their hands, or poor eyesight anyway. A member of staff who favoured Labour and said it was the only party to vote for filled the lot in and posted them. That was about 40 votes.
I know I should have reported this but it isn't easy to do that when you have to work with someone.

RobertinHerts

The Government does intend to tighten up the system:
Section 6 of the Coalition agreement: "The parties agree to reduce electoral fraud by speeding up the implementation of individual voter registration". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8677933.stm I believe that's the term used for voter validation in N.I.

Elsewhere there are calls for online voting. Having taken part in the experiment in voting for some Local authorities a few years ago I am concerned about the opportunities for voting manipulation within a household.