Postal Voting

Tue 24 Jun, 10:45

. . . The law needs changing then? Kris

Tue 24 Jun, 09:11

I have heard from the Electoral Services Manager of WODC that the reason my postal vote was rejected was because I had computer typed my signature on the application form, and should have wet signed it.  Fair enough, if anyone else is applying for a postal vote this is a point to bear in mind.

The ESM also explained why I hadn't been informed immediately:

"I’m afraid, we are unable to inform people of their rejected votes during the elections period, the law says that we must contact voters after the poll to let them know for next time."

Thu 12 Jun, 16:00

Thank you Christine.

I'll email Sean.

It was strange as I've used postal voting for a while and have never had a problem.  

As I made the effort to post the ballot the same day I should like to think that the returning officer's team could have made the effort to contact me before the polls closed, not several weeks after voting day.

You are right, I've been a tad poorly, but that is surely a good reason to have a postal voting facility.  Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Thu 12 Jun, 15:54

That's very concerning Hannen. Can I suggest that you email Sean Woodcock, our MP, about this rejection.

It would be interesting to discover what proportion of postal votes were rejected because of Voter ID issues. I know that there were once again a number of issues with voter ID for those voting in person. It remains a very unsatisfactory system. 

I know that you have been quite poorly in the last few months, and perhaps that affected your handwriting. At the very least, the authorities could have 2 or 3 specimen signatures on file, because I am sure that signatures do vary from time to time (my own signature sometimes changes, especially when I am very unwell). 

Thu 12 Jun, 13:49 (last edited on Thu 12 Jun, 14:01)

I was very disappointed yesterday to receive a letter advising me that my postal vote had been rejected because my signature didn't match the one they had on file.   

I've had the same signature for some 60 years.

"They" asked me to send in a new signature.  

So, I've been disenfranchised.  It is hard for me to get to the Polling Station.  I thought postal voting was meant to help.

Also annoying as I made an effort to follow all the instructions and posted the ballot paper promptly.  

It's disconcerting to be told that my efforts were all in vain.