The winner will probably be a low poll turnout

Whitewavemark2

Life is very different now.

However, there is expected to be a relatively poor turnout

But that in no way invalidates the result.

If you don’t vote you must accept the result and government with the knowledge you played no part in the vote.

Yes!
If you don’t vote you must accept the result and government with the knowledge you played no part in the vote.

That was equally true about Brexit.

When I worked in Local Government (back in the 70s and 80s) I was the presiding officer at the polling station in my library. I found that voting came in waves often with long gaps in between.

I was interested to read some accounts over on Mumsnet of people who had been a PO /polls clerk more recently. Its one of those jobs with frantically busy periods interspersed by long boring intervals when you can read a book or kindle. Its a long day but being in my library meant I could send one of my staff out to get me a hot meal from the local Chinese and eat it in the staffroom.

The PO is not suposed to leave the polling station premises but obviously you can take "comfort" breaks.

I have already place a couple of Bets.. One is on a low turn out.

I'm just back from voting at my community centre and there was a steady flow of voters. That is encouraging as you might expect fewer people during the day. Of course, that is anecdotal not statistical

I was at the polling station from 7 to 9am and there was a steady stream of voters of all ages, but this village does have a reputation for a high turnout. I have heard people say recently they will not vote, because 'all politicians are crap and born with a silver spoon in their mouth' but most are generally susceptible to persuasion.

Voted at 8am a steady stream but not busy, too soon to predict turnout.

Visgir1

I have already place a couple of Bets.. One is on a low turn out.

Ooh!
Do you, like certain Parliamentary candidates, have insider information?

Yes, the busiest time here is early evening (go at 7ish and you are guaranteed a catch up with neighbours you haven’t seen for months), and in the summer a pre 10pm rush of farmers because they’ve been working until it’s nearly dark so it’s the first chance they have had.

Our voting has changed from the parish hall (condemned) to the local golf club and I was one of 3 voting at 9am this morning.

The management have advertised on our Facebook page that they’re doing meals etc and why not enjoy a sherbert in the bar after voting…that might bring a few in as well as the 🏌️‍♀️ fraternity during the day.

I live in a smaller village, maybe 300 houses, plus farms and lots of equestrian centres. The clerks at our polling station (I went at about 11am) said they’d had a steady stream since they opened, and I had to queue briefly.

Casdon

My mum and dad are 94 and 95, and they will be voting in person. They haven’t missed an election since 1950, they think it’s their duty to vote. I agree, I’ve got no time for people who don’t unless they are actually physically unable to do so with short notice and couldn’t organise a postal vote.

First of all I envy you, Casdon, still having your Mum and Dad, they sound absolutely great. We got a postal vote when DH was very unwell and I couldn’t leave him, and that has just carried on. But I agree it’s open to all sorts of problems and will probably cancel it next time. If/when I’m unable to drive I shall take a taxi. I hope the turnout isn’t as low as some fear. I’m worried that it will take so long to make up for the Horlicks of the past Tory government that people will lose faith in Labour.

Just wondering how the photo ID requirement might affect turnout numbers if people forget to take it and don't go back. There will be a number of failures, maybe they will be able to give numbers?

I flashed my driving licence when asked for ID. It was nodded through without a proper look and the picture is very poor quality.

Aveline MY ID - my driving icense - was scruinised very carefully.

DH went to vote at 10.45 this morning and again hardly anyone there, staff outnumbered voters

Steady flow in my village at about 2pm.

I think more spoiled ballot papers rather than low turnout.

I live in a relatively small village, I was at the Polling Station/Village Hall between 10:30 and 1:30 and there was a steady stream of people and even a queue at times.

From what I am reading in real life, partly from people I know, turnout may be average, or above average.
But that could be just in the areas I know something about.

DamaskRose

Casdon

My mum and dad are 94 and 95, and they will be voting in person. They haven’t missed an election since 1950, they think it’s their duty to vote. I agree, I’ve got no time for people who don’t unless they are actually physically unable to do so with short notice and couldn’t organise a postal vote.

First of all I envy you, Casdon, still having your Mum and Dad, they sound absolutely great. We got a postal vote when DH was very unwell and I couldn’t leave him, and that has just carried on. But I agree it’s open to all sorts of problems and will probably cancel it next time. If/when I’m unable to drive I shall take a taxi. I hope the turnout isn’t as low as some fear. I’m worried that it will take so long to make up for the Horlicks of the past Tory government that people will lose faith in Labour.

I know, I’m very lucky still to have both my parents DamaskRose, it must be quite unusual. They are also lucky to still be able to get to the polling station with help, too - they didn’t want a postal vote, they said it didn’t feel the same, although it would have been easier.

Took a friend to vote in a nearby town this afternoon. She was the only person in the voting hall, other than staff.

If we are going for competitive earliness 8.45 would be late for working people, I leave the house at 7.30. There were 3 people voting when I went in, they were also running a raffle at the door which surprised me a little.

I went along about 10am. Half a dozen voters but more arriving as I was leaving. They were almost all older couples.
Are the younger people away on holiday or postal voting?

School holidays began last week in Scotland.

I am still cross that my lodger found she wasn't registered and applied in time but the letter never arrived.
Meanwhile my DS and his DP who've lived in NZ for 15 years are able to vote here.

Galaxy

If we are going for competitive earliness 8.45 would be late for working people, I leave the house at 7.30. There were 3 people voting when I went in, they were also running a raffle at the door which surprised me a little.

Nothing competitive, about 8.45, just stating the time I went. The school is very close and starts at 8.45, so as most drive past it after dropping off the children in time for an 8.45 school start, I thought more would drop in in their way past. In my day that was what I and many friends did. It took something off your mind while you were working.

Turnout is higher than expected.

There was a queue at our polling station. That was at 3pm ish.

I voted at about 6pm and there was a steady stream of voters. Mostly of working age . My AC are voting after work . So I think it will get busier .