Making My Mark
Jun. 4th, 2009 07:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rhythmaningI went to vote this afternoon. I always find this quite a weird experience. Last time I voted, I managed to mess up the voting paper, twice - but that was in a different country.
This time, despite me giving them my polling card, they couldn't find me on the register. I could, and I had to point out my name on their list. The tone of voice of the invigilator seemed to blame me for his incompetence.
On the way in, there were two people keeping track of voters - from the colours they were wearing, one Conservative and one Labour supporter. The woman from Labour asked for my voters number, and (being me and generally ornery) I asked why. "So we don't phone you up," she said. You can't, I replied, I don't have a landline. "Well," she said, "so we don't come and knock on your door."
At which point I walked away, because the idea of either Labour or Conservative supporters bothering to personally knock on my door struck me as rather ridiculous. I can't remember leaflets from either of them. I have had three from the LibDems (albeit not necessarily about the European elections!), and one each from several minor parties (including the BNP...). One of the LibDem leaflets - in a handwritten envelope - was delivered by hand last night. (The others came via the postman.)
I must admit I was impressed that the LibDems could mobilise their people to do that - it almost cancelled out their visual subterfuge.
This time, despite me giving them my polling card, they couldn't find me on the register. I could, and I had to point out my name on their list. The tone of voice of the invigilator seemed to blame me for his incompetence.
On the way in, there were two people keeping track of voters - from the colours they were wearing, one Conservative and one Labour supporter. The woman from Labour asked for my voters number, and (being me and generally ornery) I asked why. "So we don't phone you up," she said. You can't, I replied, I don't have a landline. "Well," she said, "so we don't come and knock on your door."
At which point I walked away, because the idea of either Labour or Conservative supporters bothering to personally knock on my door struck me as rather ridiculous. I can't remember leaflets from either of them. I have had three from the LibDems (albeit not necessarily about the European elections!), and one each from several minor parties (including the BNP...). One of the LibDem leaflets - in a handwritten envelope - was delivered by hand last night. (The others came via the postman.)
I must admit I was impressed that the LibDems could mobilise their people to do that - it almost cancelled out their visual subterfuge.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-05 04:42 pm (UTC)Tellers sit outside and ask for numbers, when you've voted, they cross you off the central list of supporters. So you only need to tell tellers from teh party that's knocked on your door and you've told them you'll support them, everyone else is irrelevant.
Only makes a difference if the party is chasing votes in your area, you're more likely to see it during a local election than anything else.
And yeah, handwritten envelopes and similar—that means you're on their definites, probables or wavering list, so you'll get loads from them from now on. Isn't democracy wonderful?