postal votes

mez · 28-05-2004, 08:06

hi, just got my postal vote through, do we HAVE to vote like this, how much is the council saving, or spending?

Sparkologist · 28-05-2004, 09:48

In answer to your question Mez, yes.

As far as i'm aware the age old method of going to the polling station and registering your vote on a slip of paper and placing it in the ballot box is dead and buried in Hyndburn.

mez · 28-05-2004, 13:08

oooo eck i dont want too///

Sparkologist · 28-05-2004, 14:32

You and me too. I don't think that many people will want to.

Each ballot paper has its own unique bar-code, to prevent electoral fraud, it is claimed, the more likely reason is to be able to find out who we vote for. The town hall reckons not, but would you trust that bunch of schemers and conivers, irrespective of what flavour they are?

markuze · 28-05-2004, 14:55

I havent got one- am I supposed to get one?

mez · 28-05-2004, 15:04

no mark luckily you are too young //

Acrylic-bob · 28-05-2004, 15:32

RE: The bar codes and reference numbers on Ballot papers.

I noticed that too. It was much the same when we had the old polling station system. Then, a number corresponding to your name on the electoral register was manually stamped on the ballot paper before it was given to you. Knowing that, excuses about prevention of electoral fraud sound thinner and more threadbare than ever.

The thing that really naffs me off is that, according to the instructions, I have to present somebody with some means of identifying myself and then get them to sign the ballot paper as a witness to my vote. Oooooh, Super secret ballot that.

As to cost, you can bet it is costing, at least, ten times as much to do it this way. This is yet another reason why your council tax bills are so high. But, of course, nobody will protest at the sensless waste of public money and the system will grind inexorably on and on and on, becoming ever more meaningless with each passing year.

janet · 28-05-2004, 15:33

I got mine yesterday too, like sparky says i think the council will know who you are voting for, also i dont like the idea of having to have a witness sign your form either, why do they have to put there address on your form. Do what i did mez rip it up and chuck it in the bin.It does not matter WHO you vote for, the elected wont listen to you anyway.

Acrylic-bob · 28-05-2004, 15:49

Before you chuck the thing in the bin Janet, consider this. We are advised on TV to send junk mail back to the people who send it. Why not rip up your ballot paper and send it back to the Returning Officer in the envelope provided. Then at least they may get some inkling that all is not well in this particular corner of the municiple paradise that they imagine Hyndburn to be.

I think I may have to start a campaign.

Rip em up and send em back!

Sparkologist · 28-05-2004, 16:03

Supurb idea Acrylic Bob. Consider it done.

janet · 28-05-2004, 16:05

I wish that i had thought about sending it back to the council, only it's too late now as my rubbish will now be on the tip somewhere.

Mick · 28-05-2004, 16:09

I was a good boy and filled mine in but Anne put hers through the shredder so nobody els could use it
its now in little bits

Acrylic-bob · 28-05-2004, 16:13

Civil Disobedience, don't you just love it!

Rip em up and send em back

yerself · 28-05-2004, 16:25

Send it back for the attention of the Returning Officer with the following note attached:

"I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top."

Tealeaf · 28-05-2004, 17:55

Whats the point of it all? The nearest post box to me is further than where the polling station used to be....the postal system has in any case collapsed, and just watching the telly now, one political party has had it's broadcast censored....some democracy. No wonder we're all p*s*ed off with these *******.