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Did you vote today?

(41 Posts)
Riverwalk Fri 05-May-17 16:24:17

I live in London so no elections here.

From what I can see, turnout for Mayoral/Council elections in the rest of the country is around 35%.

What is going on ... why don't people get off their arse and go out and vote?

Tizliz Sat 06-May-17 09:15:09

Out of the 9 candidates in my area I got 1 manifest/leaflet. He got my first vote for effort. It is so pathetic here that I was not sure what ward I am in - on the border of two.

mcem Sat 06-May-17 09:18:17

Surely it was on your polling card which was delivered some time ago. Very easy to check.

Pittcity Sat 06-May-17 09:20:38

The man who does the most around here was voted in as a Labour County Councillor after getting a seat on the town council last year. He has taken over from the aging LibDems. I think youth and enthusiasm won over party politics here.

MawBroon Sat 06-May-17 09:27:56

No Election in our rural area, but I was pleased to see that Andy Street was successful in the West Midlands Metro Mayoral vote. I have always felt it would be no bad thingt if the country were run on the same lines as the John Lewis Partnership.
Now another businessman I would like to see having a say in our lives is John Timpson.

Teetime Sat 06-May-17 09:33:45

We certainly did vote but its always a landslide Conservative vote here so no change and I cant see that there ever will be- it wouldn't put us of voting though even though we are on the losing side.

daffydil Sat 06-May-17 09:34:06

Women died for women's suffrage so the least we can do is turn out even if you don't know who to vote for in which case write 'none of the above'' on the ballot paper.

TerriBull Sat 06-May-17 10:03:18

No because I live on the edge of London, but I would have done if I lived in an area where I would have been eligible to vote. I agree with the OP, get off your arses, otherwise you can't complain if the result isn't the one you wished for. I've tried to imbue my children with the importance of casting their votes and how people in other parts of the world would die, and have, even in this country, for that privilege. I feel lately older people are almost castigated for turning out in greater numbers than say a younger generation. But what's stopping them, other than CBA, after all it's hardly an onerous task.

Nandalot Sat 06-May-17 10:26:30

Yes, we voted. Apparently turn out in our local ward was the highest/one of the highest at 36%! Perhaps there is a point to making voting compulsory as in Australia. perhaps turnout would be better if you had to vote if your were on the electoral roll and no passports or benefits issued if you a.te not on the electoral roll. It would not be popular!

Deeana1 Sat 06-May-17 11:53:59

Both my husband and I voted. Small semi rural town north of London. Turn out was 37.73% town remains Conservative

stillaliveandkicking Sat 06-May-17 18:25:55

It's totally up to an individual if they vote or not :/

NfkDumpling Sun 07-May-17 07:58:41

My Nana was a suffragist and I just can't not vote! I used to help with the count and it really lightened the mood when ballot papers were spoilt with remarks or drawings from people who wanted 'None of the Above'!

It's compulsory in Australia isn't it? They must get a lot more spoilt papers.

KatyK Sun 07-May-17 08:54:46

We voted. We always do, even though sometimes I have no clue who to vote for. smile

Pittcity Sun 07-May-17 11:55:55

I believe they have a "None of the Above" box on Australian voting slips.

Willow500 Sun 07-May-17 19:54:23

Yes we did - local mayor was re-elected but have no idea what the rest of the results were. It's always been a labour council here and don't think that will have changed. It was past 8pm when we got there (polling station is literally at the top of the street) and no one else was there so turn out probably wasn't that great.

Eloethan Sun 07-May-17 20:04:18

I think, in the absence of a None of the Above box (which I too think should be an option), those who feel very strongly that they can't vote for any of the candidates should turn up and spoil their ballot paper. That sends out a message too.