Question about electoral rules/law.

[looney]

In the last Euro election as I approached the polling station a political campaigner(Greens) stepped in my path outside the enterence and asked who I was voting for, I said no comment and he stepped aside.

I was under the impression that this was illeagal and people could only be stopped exiting the polling station, am I right?

In this Euro election as I approached the enterence there was a couple of greens on deck chairs. As I passed one asked me "could you tell me your number on your voting card?

me: Why?

Her: So we know you have voted and dont ring you up later.

I replied "whatever" and just walked in to vote.

Is this allowed?

Why is it when I am near Greens I get the sense I am in the company of scientologists or moonies?
That last question was rhetorical.

 

[strings]

I think it is quite common for political parties to collect the numbers of the people that vote. They use these to see who is a regular voter, and hence, who to campaign to (comparing the number to the addresses on the electoral register).

If you don't vote, they won't bother to try and canvass your vote for future elections.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong... but I think this is the case.

 

[looney]

If you are correct strings I'm glad I didn't give them my number, I dont want to be targeted by any political group.

Thanks.

 

[Hatterlovesbrighton]

If you are correct strings I'm glad I didn't give them my number, I dont want to be targeted by any political group.

Thanks.

Monster Raving Looney Party ?

 

[happypig]

The parties will have a list of "promises" who have said they will vote for them. They ask for your number and then at their HQ (someone's garage), they will have a list of all the voters and their numbers (legitimately available). They tick off their promises and, later in the day, chase up those that haven't voted.
If you haven't promised anyone your vote, then there's no problem giving them your number.

 

[looney]

thanks happypig, thats one question settled.

 

[Was not Was]

The parties will have a list of "promises" who have said they will vote for them. They ask for your number and then at their HQ (someone's garage), they will have a list of all the voters and their numbers (legitimately available). They tick off their promises and, later in the day, chase up those that haven't voted.
If you haven't promised anyone your vote, then there's no problem giving them your number.

... and, if a polling station has 'tellers' (as they are called) from more than one party, it's all very civilised: they share the information, even though some voters will only give their polling number to 'their' party's teller ...

 

[Brovion]

In the last Euro election as I approached the polling station a political campaigner(Greens) stepped in my path outside the enterence and asked who I was voting for, I said no comment and he stepped aside.

I was under the impression that this was illeagal and people could only be stopped exiting the polling station, am I right?

In this Euro election as I approached the enterence there was a couple of greens on deck chairs. As I passed one asked me "could you tell me your number on your voting card?

me: Why?

Her: So we know you have voted and dont ring you up later.

I replied "whatever" and just walked in to vote.

Is this allowed?

Why is it when I am near Greens I get the sense I am in the company of scientologists or moonies?
That last question was rhetorical.

I've acted as a Teller for the Labour Party and all the Tellers are supposed to do is ask for your polling number on exit. This is then ticked off a list which is then compared to the canvassing returns so the party can see which of the people who said they'd vote for you haven't voted yet. But you only use it to drum up your own supporters, e.g. unless you'd told the Greens you intended to vote for them then they couldn't care less if you'd voted or not.

When I used to do it we were told under NO circumstances were we to talk to people before they'd voted (i.e. on their way in) as that could count as an inducement to vote. And even on the way out all you were allowed to ask for was their number, you were NOT allowed to ask them how they'd voted. If people volunteered the information, (i.e. gave you their number on the way in or told you how they'd voted on their way out) then fair enough, but you weren't allowed to ask. And if they refused you weren't allowed to press them.

I thought it was the law as it was certainly impressed upon us how we should behave, but it might only have been 'good manners'. Either way the Greenies were out of line.

And yes I agree with you about the Greenies/Moonies feeling!


EDIT: WasNotWas is right, there is a certain camaraderie about tellers. We all swapped numbers, shared food and talked about anything but politics. A nice Conservative lady who'd sat with me all one cold afternoon even treated me to fish and chips! She though as I was a poor Socialist I needed the charity!

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Interesting Brovain. I reckon all parties break the rules on this one, as I've been asked in the past by both Conservative and Labour activists before going in to vote. On principle I refuse to tell them anything.

 

[happypig]

EDIT: WasNotWas is right, there is a certain camaraderie about tellers. We all swapped numbers, shared food and talked about anything but politics. A nice Conservative lady who'd sat with me all one cold afternoon even treated me to fish and chips! She though as I was a poor Socialist I needed the charity!

Mrs H was telling for Labour a few years back and the Conservatives had a mix up so she took numbers for them as well for an hour. One of their chaps bought her a box of fruit jellies as a thank you; he said they always got them as they never knew whether the recipient could cope with anything more demanding

 

[Brovion]

Interesting Brovain. I reckon all parties break the rules on this one, as I've been asked in the past by both Conservative and Labour activists before going in to vote. On principle I refuse to tell them anything.

I too have been approached. Like I say I'm not sure if it is a law or just 'good practice'. I'm guessing the latter as I'm sure if it WAS illegal they'd have clamped down on it by now as it could give grounds for a re-run: "BNP tellers bullied Asians into voting for them!"

Mrs H was telling for Labour a few years back and the Conservatives had a mix up so she took numbers for them as well for an hour. One of their chaps bought her a box of fruit jellies as a thank you; he said they always got them as they never knew whether the recipient could cope with anything more demanding

Yes, I've happily ticked numbers off lists for Conservatives and LibDems when they've had 'comfort breaks' or whatever. I did it honestly as well, i.e. I resisted the temptation to cross off names of people who hadn't actually voted! All part of the Tellers Code!

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

I was a Labour teller at Cleethorpes Library which was used as a polling station in 1997. All we did was stand at the entrance and ask the voters what their voting card number was. The numbers were shared between the other part's tellers , so that we could tick the sheet to show the person had voted , nothing sinister in it. Just meant that if you hadn't voted and said you were going to vote Labour , later that day somebody would knock on the door and offer you a lift to the polling station if you wanted to vote.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

When I was a candidate for the Seagulls Party, we didn't have tellers, but I did spend a fair amount of polling day travelling around the various polling stations in the ward. When I ran into the tellers for other candidates (both Tory and Lib Dem), they were all very welcoming and matey. Most tellers like to know how the turnout is looking at the other polling stations - which is a question that, as a candidate, I was allowed to put to the official polling clerks inside the building. I saw absolutely no harm in sharing the answers I got with the nice folk hanging around outside, especially when I discovered that the information was often 'paid for' with a biscuit and a cup of whatever hot liquid was in their thermos flasks.

Politics can be very civilised sometimes. Most party activists understand that there is not a lot of point in being unpleasant to committed supporters of their opponents.

 

[Brovion]

Follow up: I was intrigued by this so I did a bit of digging, and this was the first thing that came up on Google. By the sound of it Tellers aren't covered by Electoral Law, but the guidance I received was spot on. That's Labour for you, always accurate and always thinking of the voters!

TELLERS AT POLLING STATIONS: NOTES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF (ACTING) RETURNING OFFICERS, CANDIDATES AND ELECTION AGENTS
Introduction

1. It is common practice for candidates at elections to appoint `tellers` or `checkers` to stand outside polling stations and identify electors who have voted. This is a well-established practice, but the activities of tellers can sometimes be confusing or even intimidating so far as the voters are concerned, and do lead to complaints and disputes.

1. The purpose of these guidance notes is to help ensure that the activities of tellers remain within the bounds of what is acceptable. The guidance is not mandatory, but following it will be of mutual benefit to all concerned: candidates, agents, returning officers, presiding officers, the voters and tellers themselves.

1. The broad terms of the guidance have been agreed with the main national political parties in England and Wales, the Association of District Secretaries, the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.

The Legal Position

1. Tellers have no status so far as electoral law is concerned. They should not be confused with polling agents, whose appointment and duties are prescribed in the Representation of the People Acts. Tellers, unlike polling agents, are not among the categories of people admitted to the polling station.

Tellers Activities

1. Tellers must not give the impression that they are employed by the returning officer. Tellers should concern themselves only with checking who has voted. Anything else could give rise to allegations of undue influence or simply antagonise voters. In particular, tellers must not hand out election material or otherwise try to influence the way someone will vote. Nor should they ask voters who they intend to vote for or how they have voted.

1. The usual means of telling is to ask voters for their poll card or electoral number. If a voter does not have a poll card, then he or she may be asked to give his or her name and address. Voters should not be approached until after they have left the polling station or be asked to re-enter it to ascertain their electoral number. In any event, tellers must not in any way impede or obstruct voters on their way into or out of the polling station or the building in which it is situated.

1. Tellers should bear in mind that voters are not obliged to hand over their poll card or comply with any request for information. If they decline, they must not be pressed. No impression should be given that the information must be provided for official purposes.

Tellers` Location

1. The polling station is the self-contained area containing the polling booths, ballot box and the presiding officer’s and poll clerk’s desks. Tellers must not enter the polling station under any circumstances except for the lawful purpose of casting their own vote, voting as a proxy or accompanying a blind voter.

1. Tellers should normally remain outside the building in which the polling station is situated. At the presiding officer’s discretion, they may be allowed inside the building (but not the polling station) in bad weather if this is practicable, provided they do not position themselves in such a way that the secrecy of the ballot might be compromised. Tellers must comply with any instructions as to their location given by the presiding officer or returning officer.

Wearing of Rosettes

1. There is no objection to tellers wearing coloured rosettes in order to make it clear to voters that they are party workers and not polling station officials.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Follow up: I was intrigued by this so I did a bit of digging, and this was the first thing that came up on Google. By the sound of it Tellers aren't covered by Electoral Law, but the guidance I received was spot on. That's Labour for you, always accurate and always thinking of the voters!

TELLERS AT POLLING STATIONS: NOTES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF (ACTING) RETURNING OFFICERS, CANDIDATES AND ELECTION AGENTS
Introduction

1. It is common practice for candidates at elections to appoint `tellers` or `checkers` to stand outside polling stations and identify electors who have voted. This is a well-established practice, but the activities of tellers can sometimes be confusing or even intimidating so far as the voters are concerned, and do lead to complaints and disputes.

1. The purpose of these guidance notes is to help ensure that the activities of tellers remain within the bounds of what is acceptable. The guidance is not mandatory, but following it will be of mutual benefit to all concerned: candidates, agents, returning officers, presiding officers, the voters and tellers themselves.

1. The broad terms of the guidance have been agreed with the main national political parties in England and Wales, the Association of District Secretaries, the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives.

The Legal Position

1. Tellers have no status so far as electoral law is concerned. They should not be confused with polling agents, whose appointment and duties are prescribed in the Representation of the People Acts. Tellers, unlike polling agents, are not among the categories of people admitted to the polling station.

Tellers Activities

1. Tellers must not give the impression that they are employed by the returning officer. Tellers should concern themselves only with checking who has voted. Anything else could give rise to allegations of undue influence or simply antagonise voters. In particular, tellers must not hand out election material or otherwise try to influence the way someone will vote. Nor should they ask voters who they intend to vote for or how they have voted.

1. The usual means of telling is to ask voters for their poll card or electoral number. If a voter does not have a poll card, then he or she may be asked to give his or her name and address. Voters should not be approached until after they have left the polling station or be asked to re-enter it to ascertain their electoral number. In any event, tellers must not in any way impede or obstruct voters on their way into or out of the polling station or the building in which it is situated.

1. Tellers should bear in mind that voters are not obliged to hand over their poll card or comply with any request for information. If they decline, they must not be pressed. No impression should be given that the information must be provided for official purposes.

Tellers` Location

1. The polling station is the self-contained area containing the polling booths, ballot box and the presiding officer’s and poll clerk’s desks. Tellers must not enter the polling station under any circumstances except for the lawful purpose of casting their own vote, voting as a proxy or accompanying a blind voter.

1. Tellers should normally remain outside the building in which the polling station is situated. At the presiding officer’s discretion, they may be allowed inside the building (but not the polling station) in bad weather if this is practicable, provided they do not position themselves in such a way that the secrecy of the ballot might be compromised. Tellers must comply with any instructions as to their location given by the presiding officer or returning officer.

Wearing of Rosettes

1. There is no objection to tellers wearing coloured rosettes in order to make it clear to voters that they are party workers and not polling station officials.

Also looks as though Tellers canot be expected to count beyond 1!!

 

[smellis]

I've just worked as a presiding officer for the elections, and the handouts issued for our guidance states clearly that tellers can ask for the elector number either before or after the person enters the polling station.
Not sure if that's law, but the handouts are issued by the Audit Commission.
Might be best to query with your local Electoral Services manager who will be able to tell you.

Hope that's of some help!