Mastodawn

RAPID OFFENSIVE UNIT May 4, 2023

@[email protected] was flatly told that l couldn't register a complaint 😏

mawp May 4, 2023

@RapidOffensiveUnit any idea where this is written down? I love it, bit would like a source if possible.

RAPID OFFENSIVE UNIT May 4, 2023

@mawp

No idea.

Just met with that blank look when l asked.

The twat who took my driving licence, looked at me long and pointedly.
So l simply glared back.

I am 60 years old and they tried to treat me as if l was five.

Tim Schofield May 4, 2023

@RapidOffensiveUnit

I had the same experience... Flatly told that this was the not the case....

John Caveney woke is me🛠️May 4, 2023

@Geri I also complained that I no longer regard it as a secret ballot! I got a couple of sideways glances…..

@jaycee Did you do this 'offically' or as disdainful criticism

John Caveney woke is me🛠️May 4, 2023

@Geri busted! 😏

@jaycee sincerely, do return and say you wish to make a complaint and ask to speak to the preciding officer.

John Caveney woke is me🛠️May 4, 2023

@Geri if I thought it’d make a difference I would, but these kleptocratic ghouls don’t care. They are governing as if they are untouchable, and the way Starmer is behaving they seem to be. We are weeks if not days away from full on dictatorship in my opinion, the refugee legislation is internationally criminal and now they can arrest us if we even consider protesting! Serious trouble is ahead! I hope I’m very wrong but fear I’m right. Democracy is taking its dying breath.

@jaycee was chatting to @Lazarou both he and I concluded there is every potential for nationwide insurrection

MarkNW May 4, 2023

@Geri or if you have the time, go without your ID, get turned away (which will also be recorded) then come back with ID

@alstonvicar I understand the point, but my enquiry resided around disenfranchisement.

I followed the law because I was able. My contention is that many weren't x

Nick Dowson May 4, 2023

@Geri Do you have a source for this / more information?

@nickmdowson A source is the handbook usefully supplied by the electoral commission to its officers wherein it says in its faqs "if you are unhappy about any aspect of voting in the polling station, you can raise your concerns with the returning officer"

Hughster May 4, 2023

@Geri @nickmdowson Does the handbook say that polling officers are obligated to record voters' discontent?

@hughster @nickmdowson

"Listen carefully if you are
asked a question. If you are unable to answer a voter’s questions or concerns, record and refer them to the Returning Officer."

Stevens R Miller May 4, 2023

Why is this a good idea? Don't know where you vote, but here those "officers" are one--day employees, paid almost nothing. Mostly, they are older people looking for a chance to be active and help out. Pestering them isn't the way to get rid of photo ID.

Write your local legislator. Better, get a dozen of your neighbors to ask for an in-person meeting. If you would vote for their opponent, work on that campaign.

But please don't annoy those gentle old folks.

@stevensrmiller I can assure you I did not annoy anyone. If anything, they were rather intrigued by my polite request and acknowledged the legality of my concern.

I am a British citizen and I do not kowtow to perceived perversions of democracy.

Stevens R Miller May 4, 2023

And well you should not!

Having assisted in the administration of a few elections, and been an elected official once myself, I value people like you who demand an honest process.

Here in the states, your energies would have their best effect when directed at the people who make policy. I confess I don't know what works as well over there.

@stevensrmiller

I can assure you I use my energies at all levels, maintaining dignity and decorum throughout x

Cybirea May 4, 2023

I did exactly this earlier, politely said that I was disgusted with the disenfranchisement of people because they do not need or cannot afford, photo ID. The returning officer wrote down my complaint/concern on a piece of paper along with many other similar concerns.
I was ‘very British’ about it and apologised for complaining and was shaking because of the ‘confrontation’ but it’s important.

@Cybirea yes, good for you. Being polite is often useful for steading your nerves. The more who complain, the more they gave to take notice x

Penny Don’t Play That May 4, 2023

@Geri
Good to know.
Thanks.

@PennyPlay welcome x

Tormod Halvorsen May 4, 2023

I've voted in both Norway and Sweden, and I never found the PhotoID requirement to in any way infringe on my ability to cast a secret ballot. Different systems, perhaps?

The fact that you can even be in a situation where you don't even NEED a photo id at all is a fresh concept to us - we use it quite often.

Curious as to how you assert your identity to a poll worker you never met then? Thanks!

@airwhale That's not the point. Throughout modern times when elections have been held in the UK there has never been a necessity for photoID. In fact, only 6 cases of electoral fraud have been recorded. The introduction of this measure is a pernicious way for the current authoritarian government to disenfranchise various sections of the electorate.

Tormod Halvorsen May 4, 2023

Ah, thanks Geri.

I get how the cost aspect of maintaining a current photo id can disenfranchise those with the least available means. Also, it seems like a significant change from established practice, which should always be undertaken with utmost care.

@airwhale Yes, bingo. That's the point.

@airwhale Our government offer free ID BUT for many good reasons, there are people who are disinclined to submit or are unable to submit their details to a government that they consider to be suspicious in the first instance.

Linux and praxis: part of the resistance 🇵🇸 ☮️May 4, 2023

@Geri Actually, the officers at my polling station just handed me a slip of paper with the instructions to write to the Dept of Levelling Up.