jasoncartwright

I've attended a few UK vote counts. Pencil is also used - but you can bring your own pen if you'd like.

I think it's mainly to prevent smudges as the paper is folded to be put into the ballot box. Pencils are also more reliable than pens, and have a longer shelf life between votes, I'd imagine?

At the polling stations & counts I've been to and overseen there is pretty much zero opportunity (or interest) in changing people's votes on the papers. I'd imagine this is the same in most first-world countries. In fact, once I spotted and got corrected a paper missed for a candidate opposing the candidate I was a counting agent for.

Instant tribal labelling - a great example of my point. Nicely done.

I'm off to do some property damage, incite racial hatred and predict civil war to live up to my new moniker :)

Brexit divided and continues to cause paralysis. Soft, hard, or no-deal? Simplistic binary vote specified no mechanism, destination, or future relationship. Leave and remain have completely incompatible visions for post-Brexit Britain.

Along with (IMHO) a polycrisis of far-right immigration agitation, post-COVID stagnation, high energy costs, NHS/social care strain, housing/planning hell, lack of infrastructure investment.

We're not in a great place and, to your point, there is no clear way out.

Yes, I take that expensive and poorly performing train every month or so. It's cheaper and easier to take the car sometimes, unfortunately.

Do they have prominent blogs that are good to read to keep up in the industry you work in?

It's annoyingly disconcerting. A simple database row count apparently now difficult in 2026.

Good point - updated. Thanks!