Hi
Ive been hibernating for a while, but today I got an envelope with a printed name and address (No Stamp) through my door.
Congratulating me on my choice of postal voting. It then went on to explain how simple it was to fill in the postal vote.
Steps 1-2-3-4-5 sort of thing. What disturbed me was the fact that it came from the labour candidate, and was definitley encouraging me to votre for the labour canditate, even naming him and suggesting I should put a cross against his name.
What a shoddy appeal to the immigrant population in Sheffield who would have difficulty in understanding that they have a free vote. Don't jump on me - - it has already been proved to have happened in a couple of local elections.
Labour - - you lost my vote - - never really had it anyway.

Originally posted by sheffco
Hi
Ive been hibernating for a while, but today I got an envelope with a printed name and address (No Stamp) through my door.
Congratulating me on my choice of postal voting. It then went on to explain how simple it was to fill in the postal vote.
Steps 1-2-3-4-5 sort of thing. What disturbed me was the fact that it came from the labour candidate, and was definitley encouraging me to votre for the labour canditate, even naming him and suggesting I should put a cross against his name.
What a shoddy appeal to the immigrant population in Sheffield who would have difficulty in understanding that they have a free vote. Don't jump on me - - it has already been proved to have happened in a couple of local elections.
Labour - - you lost my vote - - never really had it anyway.

got the same from the lib dems. It said something like "we are sure you will vote lib dem". So I downloaded an official form from the electoral office website and used that.

I always thought that a vote was "Free", but obviously with language and cultural differences an advisor could influence things. How many advisors are scurrying around offering to help fill in these postal votes? Or even suggesting and teaching them where to put their cross inthe polling station. One would have to have experienced "Village Culture", where the educated, or rich man can influence the whole community.
Cheers
Sheff

This is bloody typical of the main parties,talk about bent.
Postal voting should have been scrapped when it was found to be open to fraud.

Originally posted by royjames
Postal voting should have been scrapped when it was found to be open to fraud.
And then how would people who can't physically get to the polling station vote? Do they have to put up with being disenfranchised?

The security of postal voting needs to be tightened up, and there should never be *compulsory* postal voting, but it must be available as a choice for the elector.

--
JGH

Originally posted by jgharston
And then how would people who can't physically get to the polling station vote? Do they have to put up with being disenfranchised?

The security of postal voting needs to be tightened up, and there should never be *compulsory* postal voting, but it must be available as a choice for the elector.

--
JGH


I agree it should be a option but only if it can be tamper proof,I do take your point about the elderly and disabled,they should certainly not be stopped from voting.
This is a difficult situation,but it does need to be fixed ASAP.

Originally posted by royjames
Postal voting should have been scrapped when it was found to be open to fraud.

We have debated postal voting before royjames, when in a different thread you suggested that all postal voting be stopped immediately. I cited the examples of my elderly aunt and disabled neighbour who rely upon their postal vote, and suggested that additional steps be taken to safeguard postal voting. You subsequently posted your agreement with my views. Now you've reverted to your old argument again.

For the sake of consistency, let alone your own credibility, I suggest you stop posting conflicting views on this subject. You're making yourself look like a yo-yo, when you keep changing your views back and forth like this.

I wouldnt vote Labour at all, my boyfriend has just come back from a 6month tour in Iraq, he should never have even gone there, the war was illegal, thats all i need to stop me voting for HIM!!

It just shows how much effort the politicians are prepared to into winning your vote.

If I wrote a letter to everyone in Sheffield and said "Give me a tenner", who would in their right mind would send it.

Its people not politicians that make the difference, they just seem to be bureaucratic baggage.

I known people who have met Mr Clive Betts with an issue and although letters have been written, nothing else seems to happen.

Last Betts please.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by royjames
[B]I agree it should be a option but only if it can be tamper proof,I do take your point about the elderly and disabled,they should certainly not be stopped from voting.


Redrobbo look at my reply before having your say then you might stop yourself from looking like a fool.
Sorry to be blunt but there you go.;)

This has always been allowed ie parties can get hold of the list of postal voters, however, the election literature should not be part of the voting pack.

Do you mean that the election literature has been delivered at the same time as the postal vote? If so well thats just good timing on the part of the political parties.

I do however accept your point that certain individuals could be confused.

But royjames this is what you posted ......

Originally posted by royjames
Postal voting should have been scrapped when it was found to be open to fraud.

You then subsequently posted your agreement with jgharston that postal voting should be an option.

This is an exact replay of a debate we had on postal voting on a separate thread, where you adopted similar confusing positions.

So, can you please make up your mind - are you in favour of postal voting being scrapped or are you in favour of postal voting being an option? Which is it?

Like I have said it should be scrapped until it can be made safe and secure.
But I understand the dilemma for the old and infirm.

A lot of you are missing the point here - - - by slanting the so called helpfull instructions (Guidelines on how to complete it) towards a little box (Heavy Black printing) with the candidates name in it, with a large cross against it. They are trying to influence the confused - language challenged - and as far as I can see anyone who has problems with forms etc.
You can bet that among the ethnic communities, there will be the helpfull minor officials offering advice on how to fill in the form, even watching to make sure the ross is in the right place. Or worse, collecting signed blanks.

Originally posted by sheffco
They are trying to influence the confused - language challenged - and as far as I can see anyone who has problems with forms etc.

If they are that incapable should we be allowing them to vote?

Any guesses on the cultural background of the people arrested for "Postal vote Fraud" in Bradford?

Originally posted by sheffco
Any guesses on the cultural background of the people arrested for "Postal vote Fraud" in Bradford?

Politicians?

--
JGH

Hi,

I'm a student journalist thinknig of writing an article on postal voting, and am interested by this new form of voter solicitation.

can anyone give me more details, or other examples.

If I could get hold of such a form, that would be great - I could use it to interrogate the parties!

Neil

Has anyone not received their postal vote? I haven't - my only option now is to get it re-issed from the Electoral Office in Norfolk streeet tomorrow after work and then vote. The system appears to be rather cr*p.

Originally posted by kyzr
Hi,

I'm a student journalist thinknig of writing an article on postal voting, and am interested by this new form of voter solicitation.

can anyone give me more details, or other examples.

If I could get hold of such a form, that would be great - I could use it to interrogate the parties!

Neil

It's a standard method of canvassing votes. A letter is sent to the individual that restates what the candidate stands for. It then asks that the voter cast their vote for the candidate. The same system has been going on for years - target letters- but more people have chosen to use postal voting so more people than before are getting the letters.

Originally posted by MissGobby
...my boyfriend has just come back from a 6month tour in Iraq, he should never have even gone there...
Too right, most of the decent gig venues were bombed by the Americans...

...BTW, what sort of band is your b/f in ?

:D

Originally posted by MissGobby
I wouldnt vote Labour at all, my boyfriend has just come back from a 6month tour in Iraq, he should never have even gone there, the war was illegal, thats all i need to stop me voting for HIM!!

Hi MissGobby :)
Did you watch the newsnight leaders special last week? - as Balir stated the war *was* legal (whether we agree with it or not is a seperated discussion!) but Blair gave me the impression that he wouldn't have gone to war if it weren't for the fact he honestly believed there were WMD ready to be used.
HOWEVER, Mr Howard said he'd have gone *anyway*, regardless of the UN view and regardless of if there were WMD or not - so from your POV you'd be worse off with the blue ones than the red ones. Just thought you might like to know that as it relates to your point :)

Originally posted by royjames
Redrobbo look at my reply before having your say then you might stop yourself from looking like a fool.
Sorry to be blunt but there you go.;)

LOL! Stop changing your mind. Redrobbo qouted your entire post in full, and commented on that. It's not his fault you then changed your mind in another post, 'fool' ;)

Time is running out now - - Anyone heard of the going rate for a postal vote? It wasn't mentioned in the soliciting letters, (I've had three), and there was no pre-paid envelope either. Should I expect a knack at my door this evening?
Could be the most visitors I've had all year.:confused:

Can we avoid the personal insults please? I'm interested in people's views on postal voting, not the name calling.

My personal reservations about postal voting - with all the post that gets 'lost' everyday - how can one ever be sure your vote has even been delivered?

Originally posted by Hels
My personal reservations about postal voting - with all the post that gets 'lost' everyday - how can one ever be sure your vote has even been delivered?
Easy, tick the party* box, then give your ballot paper to the local party* activist.

Hey presto, guaranteed to be delivered. :D


* insert party of choice, they're all as bad as each other in this respect. ;)

I was thinking more along the lines that there would be a succession of advisors (As offered in the letters). Perhaps as there is only one person registered in this house, and not one hundred as in the house in Bradford, they won't waste the climb up the stairs. It would have been interesting to weigh up the Rep's and compare them with other professional pursuaders like insurance or double glazing salesmen. Or even seventh day adventists, they are good at helping with crosswords.

The system is widely known to be rubbish and very open to fraud. Somehow I'm even registered to vote in two different counties, don't ask me how.

Anyway, postal voting is necessary and I've had to take it up this year due to injury and others have due to work, so it isn't just for the disabled!

You can't just get rid of it until it's made safer, you just need to improve the system. It'd only make a difference in marginals, but you can bet several political toads get up to something dodgy.

Go investigate the US elections to really find out about alledged fraud, ours is nothing compared to their mess, particularly their electronic system.

Originally posted by Hels
Can we avoid the personal insults please? I'm interested in people's views on postal voting, not the name calling.


yeah apologies, it just winds me up when people are rude to others and yet don't have a leg to stand on. :loopy: :)

Just check the applicants against the electoral role - - - Be as stringent as the Credit checking agencies - - not much gets past them. (Other than identity fraud), but surely 100 applicants from the same house - - wonder if they are all on benefits too. Open up a register for political abusers - - not allowed to take part in any kind of political activity.
The houses of parliament would be very sparsely seated.