Stevie West4d ago
There is a little-known far-right political party registered in Scotland, with politics similar to Reform. It doesn’t really operate as a party. It seeks no publicity, delivers no leaflets, does no canvassing. It lies low and does zero campaigning, avoiding attention, hoping not to be noticed … until polling day.
Its plan is that on polling day, voters quickly scanning down the list of parties will put their cross against one that superficially looks like the Greens. (1/4)
Show threadStevie West4d ago
This far-right party is called “Independent Green Voice”. Do not vote for them by mistake. (2/4)
Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier4d ago
@steviferous bruh if somebody votes for things "by mistake", you shouldn't want their vote.
Show threadStevie West4d ago
@odr_k4tana The issue here is impersonation – deception. Read about what they did in 2021. There were many complaints and testimonials from deceived voters after that election, but the Electoral Commission didn’t act on them.
A similar case was the fake party calling itself the “Literal Democrats” in 1994. They fooled enough voters who had intended voting for the Liberal Democrats to switch that result.
Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier4d ago
@steviferous yeah but I mean, reading attentively shouldn't be too much to ask for voting. It's not a book.
Show threadDec [{()}]3d ago
@odr_k4tana @steviferous
Former poll clerk here (in Ireland).
I was one of the staff at a table beside a ballot box all day on polling day, checking ID, handing out ballot papers, and talking to voters.
Some voters actually cannot read, because they are illiterate. Are you saying their votes don't matter?
Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier
@dec23k @steviferous genuine question: how do they know who they're voting for? Do they get audio guides?
Apr 3 at 1:32amWeb
Show threadDec [{()}]3d ago

@odr_k4tana @steviferous
Staff on site are often asked to be audio guides :-)
Excuses include "I forgot my glasses" or "the light in here is terrible", followed by a request for help. We have strict guidelines on how to give that help, for example we can mark the paper only in certain circumstances.

Every GE in Ireland has each candidate's photo on the ballot paper, and the party logo (except for independents).

Ballot paper templates are made available (in Braille).

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government-in-ireland/elections-and-referenda/voting/facilities-for-voters-with-disabilities/

Facilities for voters with disabilities

Procedures to help people with disabilities to exercise their voting rights.

Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier3d ago
@dec23k @steviferous that's good! But regarding the OP, I don't think it qualifies as an example, as there are explicit guides for people who are impaired visually etc. I believe OP was concerned about people voting for something by mistake, which to me means they must be inattentive. Again I am of the opinion that if you're not careful when voting you are entitled to consequences.
Show threadDec [{()}]3d ago

@odr_k4tana @steviferous
I only served as poll clerk for a few years but I never heard of any voters identifying as illiterate; it was always an excuse, often delivered with a nod and a wink.

As for the OP, some sneaky bastards are being sneaky, and doing so repeatedly. They are at risk of losing deposit if they don't get enough votes, but they keep standing anyway because the objective is being met.
Saying that voters should be more careful at the ballot box is (in my opinion) victim blaming.

Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier3d ago

@dec23k @steviferous everything can be victim blaming if you just squint hard enough.

Quite frankly, if it's not too much to ask of diabetics like me to buy coke zero instead of the sugary one, it shouldn't be too much to ask to discern the names of parties on a piece of paper for a person able to comprehend information.

Show threadjack2d ago

@odr_k4tana @dec23k @steviferous And you'd have no problem whatsoever if the shop stocked C0ke Zer0, which comes in a red can with swirly black lettering, and contains sugar

Reading your obviously-stupid responses made me quite angry

Show threadOliver D. Reithmaier2d ago
@jackeric @dec23k @steviferous riiiight. Because I can't recognise that it's different. Because I don't read the labels. Or names. I'm a zombie who only looks at colours and shapes.