Trever Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Is there any special reason as to why they are using pencils instead of pens at polling stations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 First time voter then Trever? They've always used those little stubby pencils held on with a bit of string ... They take an ordinary pencil and cut it into four pieces .... economy, economy, economy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trever Posted May 5, 2005 Author Share Posted May 5, 2005 Originally posted by rubydazzler First time voter then Trever? They've always used those little stubby pencils held on with a bit of string ... They take an ordinary pencil and cut it into four pieces .... economy, economy, economy! Are you sure? Can't remember using pencils before. I've seen marker pens and normal pens but never pencils, must be a Parson Cross/Hillsborough thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Its probably so that when polling closes they can take out the big box of jumbo erasers from under the desk and "amend" our ballot papers as appropriate;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiffymonkey Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Pencils? Our polling station is a school, so we got a crayon on a string... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 As I said on another thread, I've been voting in General Elections and local elections since 1969 in many different locations and I've never seen anything but little stubby pencils used ... you can use your own pen I suppose ... Sara, nice idea lol - but it's a matter of honour for each presiding officer to get the ballot box from the polling station to the count asap ... and as soon as they arrive, usually within minutes of the polls closing .. they're tipped out onto the tables and sorted watched closely by candidates, agents and supporters ... even if anyone wanted to alter them - they wouldn't have time ... spiffy, crayons? you posh things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henrietta Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 *lol* I was asking the very same thing on another forum. This is normal practice?! Seems to leave the opportunity for rigging wide open! I did however make sure I scrubbed my 'X' down hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wispy_willow Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I've only ever used pencils in Sheffield voting....made me curious so looked this topic up. I realise there is no chance for rigging votes really, I think it's probably economy and also pencils aren't likey to 'run-out' like pens do. but I will from now on be taking my own pen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riche Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Our polling station is on the Cross so we got an ink pad.You put your finger in it and make your mark. Then nick the ink pad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert_Baehr Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Is there any special reason as to why they are using pencils instead of pens at polling stations? Perhaps it's because capital punishment has been abolished in the UK? 'Hanging Chad' isn't an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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