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Gone and done it!

(39 Posts)
rubylady Thu 23-Apr-15 13:24:54

Well, it's all done and dusted for me, sealed and in the post. The vote, that is. I've listened to the different candidates and to the local representatives too and I don't think much will alter from now to then so no time like the present to return my postal vote. Now I can sit back and watch the night unfold.

Anyone else doing a postal vote?

tanith Thu 23-Apr-15 13:31:13

I'd only do a postal vote if I were going to be away or were incapacitated in some way, I enjoy the whole 'going to vote' rigmarole , I see people in my community that I wouldn't otherwise see from one months end to the other.

janeainsworth Thu 23-Apr-15 13:37:48

I have appointed a proxy as we are in the U.S.
We left too early to vote by post.
I agree tanith about going to the polling station - as well as seeing people, it's a tangible part of being part of the democratic process.
Though appointing a proxy was good in a way - asking our friend if he would do it for us, and discussing our choice, felt almost conspiratorial smile

rubylady Thu 23-Apr-15 13:41:34

I asked for a postal vote due to being disabled. I have good and bad days and on bad days I can't even get into the kitchen without getting out of breath. smile

annodomini Thu 23-Apr-15 14:05:34

I first asked for a postal vote nine years ago when I was due to be in hospital. They kept on sending it to me and I just kept on using it. But it hasn't arrived yet.

rubylady Thu 23-Apr-15 14:16:33

Mine only came this morning but before it got lost somewhere it got sorted and back in the post as today is an ok day. smile

gillybob Thu 23-Apr-15 14:25:11

I have had a postal vote for some time. The envelope is currently sitting on my kitchen bench at home almost daring me to open it and place my cross. sadly I haven't got the foggiest clue where that cross should be. My heart and head are telling me two different things.

I helped my grandma do her postal vote yesterday. This is the first postal vote she has ever had as up until last voting she was escorted to the polling station by her friendly neighbourhood councillor I expect he held her hand whilst she placed the cross in the right box . I was suprised that she has moved to postal voting as grandma loves the whole voting ceremony and the attention she gets from being taken. The funny thing is while we were filling the forms in, she was moaning about the very candidate that she was voting for and called him a "useless nobody who thinks he's a somebody". confused

rosesarered Thu 23-Apr-15 14:30:14

I like going to the polling station, but can see the postal vote is useful for some people.

rubylady Thu 23-Apr-15 14:31:34

Good on grandma, aren't they all? smile flowers for grandma.

Galen Thu 23-Apr-15 14:53:15

Mine hasn't arrived yet!dragon

Lona Thu 23-Apr-15 14:56:43

Mine hasn't either! dragon

tanith Thu 23-Apr-15 15:12:05

Crikey I'm really surprised so many use postal votes I always imagined they were pretty few and far between.

Ana Thu 23-Apr-15 15:46:47

I applied for one for the first time this year too - it came yesterday! smile Parking is a nightmare near our polling station, and too far to walk...

Pittcity Thu 23-Apr-15 16:08:41

Ours hasn't arrived either.
We have had a postal vote since they allowed anyone who wanted to vote that way to do so. Before that you needed a good reason not to trek to the local hall to put a cross in a box.
I think it is a very easy way to vote, you can take your time and I can see it all being done online in the future.

Katek Thu 23-Apr-15 18:29:18

We have to open/close the village hall for use as polling station so we're down there anyway. I like closing up at night and seeing all the admin tasks behind the scenes. Two men come for the ballot boxes just after 10 but all the various pieces of paper-voting slips, electoral roll, door signs etc are all signed for, placed in separate plastic bags and sealed. Takes them about half an hour to get sorted out after the doors are locked and the officials are there from 6am. Not much fun sitting on our folding chairs for 16 hours!!

rubysong Thu 23-Apr-15 18:42:26

I always go to vote and would only use a postal vote if I was unable to get there. I usually take the staff a newspaper and some sweets as I have been poll clerk a couple of times some years ago and it can get boring (small village). Anything can happen between now and May 7th and I may 'float' in a different direction.

pompa Thu 23-Apr-15 18:46:57

Our postal vote form came today, will send it off soon, decision made.

Notso Thu 23-Apr-15 18:58:21

Our polling station is at the primary school about 50 yards down the road, so very convenient smile

Pittcity Thu 23-Apr-15 18:59:48

I wonder if there are any gransnetters in South Thanet?

janeainsworth Thu 23-Apr-15 20:06:51

Well I hope they'll all vote for Al Murray Pittcity grin

soontobe Thu 23-Apr-15 20:20:17

Why do they leave it so late to send out postal votes?
I have had to send one to somewhere where it takes days to arrive. By the time they then post it back to where it needs to go, it is all cutting it a bit fine, or may miss altogether.
It isnt as if the authorities dont know it is happening!

cinders54 Thu 23-Apr-15 20:39:00

You bet I have! If ever a vote counted, it does in this election.

Ana Thu 23-Apr-15 20:43:05

Perhaps the person you've sent the postal vote to should have asked for it to be sent direct to them, soontobe. They're sent out in plenty of time for most people to submit their vote before the election date.

Gracesgran Thu 23-Apr-15 20:51:33

Mine arrived yesterday but I will leave it much closer to the election before I post it.smile

soontobe Thu 23-Apr-15 21:36:00

hmm. Never thought of that Ana! oops blush