voting

My point is, irrespective of party politics, and we can all play party politics, the right to vote should also include the right not to vote. That idea that freedom of choice is at the centre of the right itself. Your right to choose, in every sense. If you're forced to vote, thats not freedom, thats a dictatorship. Im not encouraging people not voting, I think the more people are engaged in our political process, the richer it is, though freedom to choose should be just that.
 
MikeSz said:
My point is, irrespective of party politics, and we can all play party politics, the right to vote should also include the right not to vote.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Personally I've always voted, but freedom should also mean we have the right not too as well.

I don't think enforced voting is a good idea.

However, educating people about politics, and what their vote means, is a good idea.

If I really couldn't decide who to vote for, I'd go and spoil my voting slip, because they are always counted, and at least my dissatisfaction would be offically noted.:D
 
garinda said:
However, educating people about politics, and what their vote means, is a good idea.

If I really couldn't decide who to vote for, I'd go and spoil my voting slip, because they are always counted, and at least my dissatisfaction would be offically noted.
Click to expand...

That statement will get you **** rating from your peers.
(The asterix depict 4 Star).
"Garinda went to the polling station to keep the percentages up and spoil his ballot paper."
I would'nt allow anyone who came out with a statement like that to educate my pet worm
 
My “Official Poll Card” arrived the other day and I will be using it come the 1st May 2008, as I do every polling day. Who gets my vote remains to be seen, as I have no idea who the candidates are in my ward. But if there is a Labour candidate s/he will be ignored, as will the Tory candidate and the Liberal one. Hopefully there will be other candidates and if there are one of them will get my vote. If there aren’t I will have a problem. How I resolve it remains to be seen.

However the real point of this and any other polls is the alleged secrecy of the ballot. There is nothing secret about it.

My name is on the Electoral Register with an allocated number, which also appears on the “Official Poll Card”. At the polling station my name appears on a list, with that number, and the official writes alongside my name the number of the ballot paper before handing it over to me. OK! I can go into a booth that is shielded from prying eyes to cast my vote but that is the only bit that is secret.

My choice is registered on the ballot paper that has a unique number that has been written against my name on the Electoral List. Thus it is simplicity itself for someone in government to find out which way I and EVERYONE ELSE votes.

I firmly believe that there is a database (and has been for years) that lists every single eligible voter and how those voters voted in both local and national elections. And no I cannot prove it.
 
The little slips you complete are not referenced. Yes, all the rest of what you say is correct, you have a register number etc, but when you go into the little booth, you will have been given a slip with no identifying features on it. As such, someone could tell that you have voted, or at least been given a voting slip, but there is no way of knowing how you used that slip
 
MikeSz said:
The little slips you complete are not referenced. Yes, all the rest of what you say is correct, you have a register number etc, but when you go into the little booth, you will have been given a slip with no identifying features on it. As such, someone could tell that you have voted, or at least been given a voting slip, but there is no way of knowing how you used that slip
Click to expand...
The last time that I voted the ballot paper was torn off a pad and the counterfoil and ballot paper had a serial number on them. The clerk wrote that number against my name on the Electoral List.

Have a look on the 1st May 2008.
 
jambutty said:
The last time that I voted the ballot paper was torn off a pad and the counterfoil and ballot paper had a serial number on them. The clerk wrote that number against my name on the Electoral List.

Have a look on the 1st May 2008.
Click to expand...



yes you are quite right JB, i noticed that many years ago, so when it comes down to it, it isnt a secret ballot at all, they know exactly who has voted for them
 
Thats quite interesting. Ive not noticed it myself, despite looking. I on purposely checked my paper last time I voted and there was nothing on it to identify me
 
Royboy39 said:
That may well be.. but... Alicante is on the Costa Blanca.
Cultural Activity is buzzing in Ossy is it Margeret? :confused:
Click to expand...

Gail has it all in hand :D
I have observed that Alicante is the site of the ancient roman town of Lucentum - so you could always go to bet on the chariot racing :D
 
[email protected] said:
Gail has it all in hand :D
I have observed that Alicante is the site of the ancient roman town of Lucentum - so you could always go to bet on the chariot racing :D
Click to expand...

Viva la Google....There is a fiesta in late July depicting the battle between the Moors and the Christians in La Villajoyosa...chariots and all.
I will check with Ladbrooks to see if they are taking bets....Thanks Margaret....I might win a few bob :hothothot
 
flashytart said:
yes you are quite right JB, i noticed that many years ago, so when it comes down to it, it isnt a secret ballot at all, they know exactly who has voted for them
Click to expand...

What happens to the ballot papers after the count is completed and agreed on?
 
I might have to vote Labour this time. Poor Collete must be worn out trying to dish the dirt on 5 Tory Cllrs all on her own.

Then again Brian did manage to finally get the changing rooms rebuilt on Harvey Street even though he alegedly burnt them down himself for the insurance money :D
 
Neil said:
What happens to the ballot papers after the count is completed and agreed on?
Click to expand...

You not seen it neil? When you go to the count and everything has been declared - then the votes are all put into a sealed bag with everything regarding that ward for that election and are then took to a secure place and stored for future reference. Oh and when the expenses for that election are put into the returning officer and have been verified by the returning officer then they join them.
 
shillelagh said:
You not seen it neil? When you go to the count and everything has been declared - then the votes are all put into a sealed bag with everything regarding that ward for that election and are then took to a secure place and stored for future reference. Oh and when the expenses for that election are put into the returning officer and have been verified by the returning officer then they join them.
Click to expand...

How long are they kept for though, surely not indefinitely?

I wouldn't like to pick that sack up when they are eventually recycled.
 
I think its 10 years they are supposed to be kept for.

Will find out for you - that is if graham dont come on and tell you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top