Voting Behaviour

[MallyJ]

It would appear that my previous voting behaviour is common knowledge among certain groups. I received communication, addressed to me from the party I voted for last time, my husband received communication addressed to him from the party he last voted for. There was no joint communication from any party and no communication from any of the other parties to either or both of us. I thought that any election is a secret ballot but it would appear not....How come and since when? I am , to be honest, a bit narked.

[Cloverjo]

I’ve noticed the same thing, mallyj.
It’s not a secret ballot anyway. The clerk at the polling station writes your voter number on the ballot paper.

[MallyJ]

Cloverjo....I know that they do tick boxes etc at the polling station but who then says that other people can see our votes and use that information...I know it isn't entirely secret but who has access and why do those people have access? I am really a tad cheesed off. It is the first time I have noticed it too so am unsure why this time.

[ummmm]

I receive Tory and Labour communication. I don't vote Labour and my OH doesn't vote...

[MallyJ]

Ummmm that makes sense but here he got only communication from the party he last voted for and I got the same for the party I last voted for.....no other party communicated....ours was properly addressed and posted to each of us...most odd.

[jourdain2]

In my youth (quote from Father William) I helped in several elections as a teller and checker and I noticed then that it was quite possible to work out who voted which way (just access to papers and a lot of time needed).

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Have lived at current address for 28 years and we have voted Conservative at every election even though this is a staunch Labour area. In all that time I have never known anybody from any party knock at the door to canvass and have got very few leaflets through the door. This year we both received personally addressed bumpf from the Labour party which just makes me think they might be getting worried. In reality they will probably still take the seat but maybe with a reduced majority. Will be interesting on Friday morning.

[ummmm]

No one knocks on my door either. It's conservative and Labour has always been the only party that's had any hope. The others don't seem to bother.

[CrapAtCryptics]

Parties can buy a marked register but all that indicates is that a person voted. To collate that information would be illegal under electoral law.

[MallyJ]

CrapAtCryptics thanks I had it in the back of my mind that it wasn't on to find out which individual voted which way....but I really do have the feeling that someone has.

[jourdain2]

It really is possible to work it out, MallyJ.

[albaqwerty]

I've had my doubts about secret voting for years as similar happened to Mr Alba and I.
I wondered what would happen if either party took some serious offence to their partner not voting in line with their thoughts.
I know it's not a nice thing to think of but strange things happen..

[andy-hughes]

I live in a city where you could put up a pig with a red rosette on it and get it elected, so it is surprising that my daughter who lives two streets away, was visited by a Labour canvasser.

[Mamyalynne]

This time I have received personally addressed communications from all the main parties, I am not on the 'open register'.

[MallyJ]

There is an interesting thought Alberqwerty. Himself and I vote differently but we know we do...it could be quite a dangerous thing to do to a different couple.

[JimF]

Me too, ML. As Greavesie used to say, it's a funny old world.

[Mamyalynne]

Tis that.