Voting In The General Election

[10ClarionSt]

The last time I went to vote was in the by election last October in Heywood and Middleton. I handed my polling card to the woman and she asked where I lived. I said there's a big clue on the card just under my name. She said I had to SAY my address. I could see no reference to this on the card and told her she was being over officious and making it up as she goes along. She wasn't happy. But neither was I, as I had never been asked this before when voting. So I told her where to stick the ballot paper and walked out.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm not sure I understand 10C why you objected to the request - happy to show the card but not to verbally confirm what was on it.

When I visit the Hospital on Monday , the receptionist will greet me as a familiar face, look at my appointment letter then ask all my details again - double checking is all.

[jim360]

Well, no security measures are perfect, of course. In practice though it is extremely hard for anyone to discover how you voted based on the ballot paper.

[fiction-factory]

It would need a court order though, 10ClarionSt, although I suppose cospiracy theorists could say that MI5 or someone could be opening them all and keying all the data in

[chaptazbru2]

Thanks Mamya.

[Mamyalynne]

Awkward just for the sake of it - ok.

[jim360]

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/141937/Polling-station-quick-guide-LGEW.pdf

In the long run, your choice to walk out was rather self-defeating, really.

[follyfancier]

you don,t need your polling card to be able to vote ,you only need your number but you should confirm both your name and address if asked to do so,also don,t bother to give your number to anyone hanging around outside the polling station,you are not obliged to give it to anyone else before you get inside,they are just trying to find out who has voted from their ward

[Canary42]

Who was being the most stroppy ?

I know where my vote goes (pun intended).

[andres]

The same thing happens when we get a prescription made up at our local chemist. Although he knows me and also my address he still has to ask for verification before handing the medicine over.Never bothers me.

[EDDIE51]

They have by law to ask where you live and it has to match what is on the card. It is a basic way to prevent fraud.

[EDDIE51]

Any one could have got hold of your voting card, they HAVE to check the card is being used by the person it was issued to. It was YOU clarion street that was in the wrong. The officer HAS to to refuse to let you vote if you do not give the correct answer. You should be asked every time you go to vote, and if you are not asked you should ask why they have not checked.
I have been asked every time even though I have known the election officer for 20 years.

[EDDIE51]

In most countries you not only have to give the correct information you have to produce photo ID to prove you are who you say you are before you can vote.

[EDDIE51]

The card has no photo so no proof of ID. As I said any one could have picked up your card a postal worker for example. It could be a forgery or photo copy. Proof of voter ID has been a requirement ever since there have been free elections over 100 years ago. It will soon become a lot more st

[EDDIE51]

Sorry hit submit too soon
it will soon be a lot more strict
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/journalist/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-reviews-and-research/id-needed-at-polling-stations,-recommends-independent-watchdog
These propsals are due to become law.

[EDDIE51]

I have NEVER heard of the voter number being put on the ballot slip. The slip should be validated by being ' indented' in a press before it is handed to the voter. The indentation shows the polling station and date but NOT the voters ID which MUST be secret.