vote for election of the police and crime commissioner

[gavgav]

Would love it for there to be a James Gordon standing for election somewhere. He would surely win just with people voting for the fun of it!!!

Commissioner Gordon............................now where have I heard that before

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gordon_(comics)

 

[Leaway2]

Then why do they write the number of your slip next to your name?

 

[classic33]

Then why do they write the number of your slip next to your name?

Proof that a ballot paper has been issued by Polling Station Staff should the result be qustioned later.
Example:
All these elections are done on a Ward basis. In your Ward there are five polling stations. Each Polling station has been issued with identical paperwork, down to the numbers printed(usually in red)on the back.

You have five people standing & each of those receive a vote on a ballot paper with the number 666. That is one from each polling station. Who voted where & how cannot be determined from the number on printed on the rear of the paper. If questions are raised at the count, these numbers can be checked. Slow process, but if you suspect "odd goings on" at any polling station and if you are involved directly with the election, candidate/election agent, you can ask that the numbers be verified prior to the count. So if records from the polling stations show that the number of papers with 666 on the back differs from what is actually present at the count, the whole process can be be questioned. Rare, but I've seen it twice.

All papers at the count are counted face up with the initial count verifying that the number of papers in any particular box matches the total as given by the count/tally kept by polling station staff. 700 people are showing as having voted but the number of papers in the box is greater. The numbers on the rear will then be checked, to see if it was issued/is a duplicate. Second count then splits the votes into votes for those standing.

 

[Leaway2]

Proof that a ballot paper has been issued by Polling Station Staff should the result be qustioned later.
Example:
All these elections are done on a Ward basis. In your Ward there are five polling stations. Each Polling station has been issued with identical paperwork, down to the numbers printed(usually in red)on the back.

You have five people standing & each of those receive a vote on a ballot paper with the number 666. That is one from each polling station. Who voted where & how cannot be determined from the number on printed on the rear of the paper. If questions are raised at the count, these numbers can be checked. Slow process, but if you suspect "odd goings on" at any polling station and if you are involved directly with the election, candidate/election agent, you can ask that the numbers be verified prior to the count. So if records from the polling stations show that the number of papers with 666 on the back differs from what is actually present at the count, the whole process can be be questioned. Rare, but I've seen it twice.

All papers at the count are counted face up with the initial count verifying that the number of papers in any particular box matches the total as given by the count/tally kept by polling station staff. 700 people are showing as having voted but the number of papers in the box is greater. The numbers on the rear will then be checked, to see if it was issued/is a duplicate. Second count then splits the votes into votes for those standing.

Then my question is more relevant, why do they need the number against my name? It could be any one of these ballot papers. The only possible reason is to reference it to me.

 

[classic33]

Then my question is more relevant, why do they need the number against my name? It could be any one of these ballot papers. The only possible reason is to reference it to me.

How do they reference it against you, other than proving that it was you that visited the polling station & that they issued you a ballot paper with a number on the back at the polling station. In the example given yours would have been one of five issued(in the Ward) with the same number.

No record is kept of how you voted. Any ballot papers with a written name or identifying mark on the front will be questioned at the count. Ballot papers are destroyed after the election.

If you're ever asked how you have voted or asked to give your voters number outside of a Polling Station, decline stating that "you are not required to give that information". They continue to press for this information, report it.

 

[Leaway2]

How do they reference it against you, other than proving that it was you that visited the polling station & that they issued you a ballot paper with a number on the back at the polling station. In the example given yours would have been one of five issued(in the Ward) with the same number.

No record is kept of how you voted. Any ballot papers with a written name or identifying mark on the front will be questioned at the count. Ballot papers are destroyed after the election.

If you're ever asked how you have voted or asked to give your voters number outside of a Polling Station, decline stating that "you are not required to give that information". They continue to press for this information, report it.

They mark my number against my name. If its not needed and can not be traced to my vote, why do it? The above assumes that everyone is honest, and works on the "you can trust us, we wont look" basis, just as it did (does) in Philippines and East Germany.

 

[classic33]

They mark my number against my name. If its not needed and can not be traced to my vote, why do it? The above assumes that everyone is honest, and works on the "you can trust us, we wont look" basis, just as it did (does) in Philippines and East Germany.

Its proof that the ballot paper was issued at the polling station, by polling station staff. To protect them as much as yourself. If the number of papers in the box is different to those recorded as having been issued then questions will be asked & the numbers on the reverse checked. A slow process if the turnout was high at one station. If two ballot papers with the same number appear in the same box then both may be discounted/not allowed at the count.
In any polling station you are requested not to show your ballot paper, once marked by you, to anyone. Just fold in two & place in the sealed box.

 

[Leaway2]

Its proof that the ballot paper was issued at the polling station, by polling station staff. To protect them as much as yourself. If the number of papers in the box is different to those recorded as having been issued then questions will be asked & the numbers on the reverse checked.

The numbers could be recorded, but don't need to reference me, which they do.

A slow process if the turnout was high at one station. If two ballot papers with the same number appear in the same box then both may be discounted/not allowed at the count.

Again why do they need my name against the ballot paper number?

In any polling station you are requested not to show your ballot paper, once marked by you, to anyone. Just fold in two & place in the sealed box.

Yes I have voted many times. No one has ever asked to see my ballot paper, but they don't need to see it, they can look up my number later, and see what I voted.
Still not convinced there is a good reason for it to happen.

 

[classic33]

The numbers could be recorded, but don't need to reference me, which they do.

No, you have a voters number, which is what they are matching it against. Highly unlikley that the same number will be alongside your name on the previous register or the next register produced.
That number is used only in the event of ballot papers not matching the number of people recorded as voting. No-one sees the back of the ballot paper(where the number is) at the count. Its also why you are only supposed to use the pencil provided. There is no means of saying who you voted for, unless there is a problem because a second ballot paper with your number appears in the same box.


"Again why do they need my name against the ballot paper number?"
Partly to protect themselves, proof of the number of ballot papers handed out by them. Also as a tally of the total number of papers handed out. Partly to protect you should anyone else try to "vote for you". Personation is the offence, they are trying to stop here.


"Yes I have voted many times. No one has ever asked to see my ballot paper, but they don't need to see it, they can look up my number later, and see what I voted.
Still not convinced there is a good reason for it to happen."
I can look up the register after and all it will show is those who actually made the effort to vote. It will not disguingish between those who have voted by proxy, postal or at the ballot box. Let alone who they voted for. All ballot papers are destroyed after the count is complete.

From the Handbook for Polling Station Staff
"• ensure the secrecy and security of the ballot
• act impartially at all times
• account and be responsible for all the ballot papers, paperwork and ballot boxes
• ask the prescribed questions of voters when necessary, including when asked to do so by
candidates or agents or before the issue of a tendered ballot paper
• ensure that the proper procedure for voting is followed, ensuring that the corresponding
number list is marked correctly
• ensure that when either they or their Poll Clerk issues a ballot paper, it bears the official
mark and is issued correctly to eligible electors"

 

[Cush]

They need to make voting compulsory. At the same time though, they need to add a "None of the above" box.

Which is why I will spoil my ballot paper by voting for them all, as I have heard nothing from any of them but I do belive that every one should vote

 

[Longshot]

Which is why I will spoil my ballot paper by voting for them all, as I have heard nothing from any of them but I do belive that every one should vote

I've done the same myself but added the word "deliberate" in a vain attempt to send a message.

 

[biggs682]

our local Labour candidate has announced he is withdrawing because he has a criminal record .............

 

[classic33]

our local Labour candidate has announced he is withdrawing because he has a criminal record .............

How did he get this far. Declaration for standing has this bit covered. Oh well £5000 down the drain.

 

[classic33]

Yes, it is.

The registers of voters, where the serial number of the ballot paper is written next to the name of the voter, are sealed in special bags and retained along with the ballot papers. In the case of any dispute an electoral court can order that the bags containing the register are opened and ballots matched to individual voters. This was last done, IIRC, when there were allegations of voting irregularities in the Aston ward in Birmingham in 2007.

Ballot papers and registers are only destroyed when the period for the submission of any election petitions has lapsed.

I didn't want to go to far into the process so I stook with saying after the election. Time period for election petitions was 21 days after the date the result was announced.
But no-where is that record kept, where anyone has easy access to it for the simple purpose of seeing who a particular person voted for. Which seemed to be the main concern being raised.

 

[classic33]

EDIT: Corrected for terminology

Reduced to numbers now, not names.