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This is a link post Tory volunteers posing as polling station staff in South West Surrey I made this!
Happens every year. Now I own a copy for my records. You're welcome to share. Now if you haven't done so already, go out there and VOTE!

edit: I've added a caption for her parting shot, which was a sarcastic comment about how helpful I was
(I helped save b3ta! Manic can teach you the secret of fire, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:26, , Reply)
This is a normal post The annoying thing is that you're not allowed to do anything
associated with a party inside the polling station, but you're allowed to do it directly outside the door.

*facepalms*
 (I helped save b3ta! hoifbjifbef, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:27, , Reply)
This is a normal post Bloody-hellfire, surely that HAS to be illegal!
If not then damn near the knuckle of being so....
 (I helped save b3ta! The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, , Reply)
This is a normal post What an old arsehole!
What did she say at the end? I couldn't make it out.
 (I helped save b3ta! Alzo wouldn't ride your mum into battle, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:29, , Reply)
This is a normal post This^^ I couldn't quite get it
Did she ask if you were still voting conservative?
 (I helped save b3ta! The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:30, , Reply)
This is a normal post What was the parting remark?
I couldn't make it out.
 (I helped save b3ta! The Togaboy The world will end on, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:31, , Reply)
This is a normal post What's her closing responce?
But, yes, this is a bit shit. There was nobody outside my polling station at 10am, but I might have a walk down now..
 (__, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:31, , Reply)
This is a normal post i voted but made a random choice....
i should have voted tactically... ah well....
 (I helped save b3ta! Dances with Rabbits Back to Education i go, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:32, , Reply)
This is a normal post no need to look at her notepad
the countryside-green Barbour coat was a sure sign from the get go
 (hotpiss is very much liking your popping musics, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:34, , Reply)
This is a normal post please forgive me
Is the number they ask for a personal identifier? What do they use it for? Just so they know who the non-voters are?

FYI as I put on twitter earlier,
a) they always do it outside my polling station and
b) both main parties (blues and yellows) in the area (also SW Surrey)have someone out there all the time, taking down numbers
c) they insisted to me that I didn't have to tell them, which was nice.
 (fevaxyn went umop apisdn uo, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:36, , Reply)
This is a normal post They use it to target you
for canvassing at the next election. They know you're a voter now, and so you're going to be popular come next election.
 (I helped save b3ta! Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:40, , Reply)
This is a normal post but
surely they'd be targeting those who have numbers but didn't vote, as they are non-voters and therefore swayable.

stupid innocent me. I'm so disheartened with it all.
 (fevaxyn went umop apisdn uo, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, , Reply)
This is a normal post non-voters
tend to stay non-voters. Someone who definitely votes, will likely vote again in the future. If you can get said voter to vote for your party, it's a success.
 (I helped save b3ta! Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:56, , Reply)
This is a normal post I'm okay with this.
I worried they'd use it for something far more insidious, don't know what, but if all they're going to use it for is to knock on my door and try to sell me idiots then I revel in it.

The last Tory canvasser left in a huff because I managed to pretty much refute or rebuke anything he had to say. I shocked myself more than anything, I've learned a fair amount. I'm actually going to miss sounding like a smartarse.
 (I helped save b3ta! Willwillwritehiswill An arse like a slapped face., Thu 6 May 2010, 20:07, , Reply)
This is a normal post There was one of these fuckers
by my polling station too. He was literally 2 feet outside of the main door of the polling station building. He even brought a chair, and several people who were just ahead of me showed him their polling card. Anyone going by he simply looked up at them and asked "Could I see your polling card please?". The fucker was doing his damnedest to make it look like he was part of the process.

Luckily for me, I never received my polling card, otherwise I would have been caught in the same trap.
 (I helped save b3ta! Damocles wants no part of your debauchery, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:37, , Reply)
This is a normal post Did they ask who your voting for?
Or just for your registration number?
I have similar people at my local polling station and I gave them my number. I think it's just so they know who is voting and not necessarily who for. I've got no problem with that.
However they were wearing ribbons for their parties and wern't hiding anything, unlike the woman in the clip, who is being very cagey.
 (I helped save b3ta! Adamsky, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:39, , Reply)
This is a normal post same with my station
I believe they are just assessing voter turnout. Also by giving your number you are marking yourself out as a 'voter' this means you may get targeted by political parties in the future.
It's pretty harmless really

edit: They are called Tellers - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teller_%28elections%29
 (I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 15:43, , Reply)
This is a normal post I'm cool with the idea of that,
But she was doing her damndest to let people assume she was an electoral offical. I think they really should be made to show their "colours" if they are going to do it.
 (I helped save b3ta! The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:50, , Reply)
This is a normal post oh indeed - this isn't correct
the chap at my polling station was wearing a blue rosette. It was the Barbour jacket that gave him away as a Tory though
 (I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 15:51, , Reply)
This is a normal post ha ha, that and the freshly beaten fox
draped round his shoulders...
 (I helped save b3ta! The magic of chutney Shakes it like an Instagram filter!, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:53, , Reply)
This is a normal post Or perhaps she wasn't properly briefed,
and couldn't properly convey to people how the information was to be used, thereby making herself looking dodgy and trying to cover up for her lack of understanding?
 (I helped save b3ta! hoifbjifbef, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, , Reply)
This is a normal post she didn't really seem to know what she was doing to be honest

(I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 15:55, , Reply)
This is a normal post Indeed.
In which case, she still shouldn't be doing it.

Seems like she's blindly volunteered to do something because of her commitment to her party, and then thought that it might be dodgy so is being evasive.

Is that reading too much into it?
 (I helped save b3ta! hoifbjifbef, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:58, , Reply)
This is a normal post no - it's how I'm interpreting it
she feels important, but unprepared
 (I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 16:15, , Reply)
This is a normal post they're supposed to
3.2 If asked, tellers should explain that they are political activists seeking to determine who has actually voted. No impression should be given that any information provided will be used for official purposes or that they are employed by the Returning Officer.

(NinjaEdit: posted the wrong paragraph)
 (I helped save b3ta! bluemeat has been best of all the animals since, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:09, , Reply)
This is a normal post What's your source for the paragraph?
Just so I can quote to my mates.
 (I helped save b3ta! hoifbjifbef, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:16, , Reply)
This is a normal post Appendix C
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/83337/UKPGE-C-and-A-Final-web.pdf
 (I helped save b3ta! bluemeat has been best of all the animals since, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:18, , Reply)
This is a normal post Thank you!

(I helped save b3ta! hoifbjifbef, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:19, , Reply)
This is a normal post Blimey....
Dodgy as fuck.
 (Jimbotfu Bummed in the gob again, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:42, , Reply)
This is a normal post Wish I'd seen this before voting.
I'd assumed it was part of the process.
 (I helped save b3ta! monkeon schmonkeon, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, , Reply)
This is a normal post bollocks
me too.. fucking torys.. there was a bunch of them with rosettes standing outside Bournemouth West polling station at about 6.. then this sweet old posh lady... didn't put 2 and 2 together
ugh i even asked for my polling number so i could give it to her on my way out as i thought it was something important
lucky i'm moving... to er... winchester... cos that's much less tory!
AGH!
 (Shelves, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:40, , Reply)
This is a normal post dang
thats rather naughty of them.
there was no one like that out side my polling station, just a lovely reception girl who i had a chat too while she was giving my voting forms
 (I helped save b3ta! The invisible ham Fig rolls are the best, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:44, , Reply)
This is a normal post "so I just slot it into your box huh baby"

(I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 15:46, , Reply)
This is a normal post Surely...
...it's dodgier if they ARE wearing rosettes and only collecting one party's voters? That would certainly bugger up the whole secret ballot thing in a big way.

My understanding is that in many constituencies the parties actually used to swap this data with each other, so they all know what the real turnout looks like. But that may no longer be the case.

I think that particular lady, however, saw herself as some kind of Tory MI5 agent, and got a kick out of it. Sadly political parties can only get volunteers to do tedious things like this by appealing to manic fanatics.
 (I helped save b3ta! prince-igor si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:49, , Reply)
This is a normal post I hope you went back to your car, got a wheel wrench, came back and beat your voter registration number into her skull.
That would be an appropriate response.
 (pissflaps. FSPW, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:52, , Reply)
This is a normal post I'm so glad you did this
I had the very same discussion with some old crone sat on a deck chair this very morning.
They are always evasive and it's just plain wrong.
 (I helped save b3ta! Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Thu 6 May 2010, 15:54, , Reply)
This is a normal post And at 9.55 this evening
her and all her mates can will waltz in and claim to be the ones they haven't crossed off their lists.
 (I helped save b3ta! masakatsu best of all the burger meats, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:13, , Reply)
This is a normal post HA!

(__, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:27, , Reply)
This is a normal post carrying a bag of silly disguises

(I helped save b3ta! Griffin Saver Something, something, 2006, something., Thu 6 May 2010, 16:31, , Reply)
This is a normal post fuck yeah
A load of false beards
 (I helped save b3ta! masakatsu best of all the burger meats, Thu 6 May 2010, 17:58, , Reply)
This is a normal post There were 2 of these outside my polling station
A Tory woman and a Green party man, although here they were clearly identified with rosettes. I refused to give either my voter number and just walked straight through

I assume they just use them to send out junk mail... the only addressed stuff I got was from the tories who collected my number last time
 (Scary, Thu 6 May 2010, 16:50, , Reply)
This is a normal post All the parties do this, not just the tories
One of the reasons is so they can cross-reference it with their list of party supporters. There's a good explanation of the mechanics of the election in the latest Pod Delusion.
 (yossarian42, Thu 6 May 2010, 17:45, , Reply)
This is a normal post 1 Rosetted Tory and 1 Rosetted Liberal
Every other voter clearly thought they were obliged to give their number. I was intending to ask the large Tory man why? but he left me to the little old seated Liberal lady - 'Can I have your number?' 'No'. She seemed hurt :(
 (I helped save b3ta! alwayslostinsmoke fulfilling dreams since, Thu 6 May 2010, 18:11, , Reply)
This is a normal post
Here are three of them from Brighton.



Click for bigger (377 kb)



Click for bigger (363 kb)

There must be something dodgy about them sharing information. The Tory fella asked a woman for her name and address as she didn't have a number, he then shared that information with the Green fella and the other fella (guess the party?). That must be against some data protection law, right?
 (I helped save b3ta! Jeffrey44 (User was banned for this post), Thu 6 May 2010, 18:34, , Reply)
This is a normal post Ah bums
someone wrote mine down in different SW surrey area, thought it was official. :(
 (Stinky_Goblin Smells trouble, Thu 6 May 2010, 19:59, , Reply)
This is a normal post Same here.
Sneaky cunts.
 (I helped save b3ta! Willwillwritehiswill An arse like a slapped face., Thu 6 May 2010, 20:09, , Reply)
This is a normal post Lets never trust a sweet old lady again
unless her house is made out of sweets
 (Stinky_Goblin Smells trouble, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:27, , Reply)
This is a normal post same here
he was even wearing a blue badge - but had no party name on it :( i feel defiled!
 (I helped save b3ta! Rev. Jesse. broke his ankle, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:55, , Reply)
This is a normal post me too
buggeration!
 (I helped save b3ta! mr.dogshit The world's premier anthropomorphic canine faeces, Fri 7 May 2010, 23:37, , Reply)
This is a normal post This isn't a Tory plot, honest
All parties do this all the time - it's a normal part of the process. At my polling station it's normally mostly Labour - in fact they've been there all day today, sitting inside the porch of the building suited and booted, thereby looking even more official. Whatever party, they are local activists and allegedly use the info to track who's voted; I've been told it's so they can go and chase up those who haven't. In the past I've seen all the parties sharing the info very readily.
 (Nickbn3, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:25, , Reply)
This is a normal post yes, but the local Tories always play this 'passing off' game
They know they are not supposed to pass themselves off as polling station staff and/or a formal/required part of the polling process, and yet they persist with this same deception EVERY time.
 (I helped save b3ta! Manic can teach you the secret of fire, Thu 6 May 2010, 21:07, , Reply)
This is a normal post Christ...
There was some guy in a suit stood outside our polling station too, but I knew what he was up to, so just stared at him and he didn't bother me :-)
 (I helped save b3ta! Mike Fishcake teamfishcake.co.uk - better than your mum's face, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:37, , Reply)
This is a normal post Labour do this at my local polling station
Maybe the Lib Dems should get in on the act too?
 (scum_monkey fucking hates your guts, Thu 6 May 2010, 20:58, , Reply)
This is a normal post should've given this:
3AT 5h1T T0r135
 (theswollenbeef where there's a will there's a wank, Thu 6 May 2010, 21:02, , Reply)
This is a normal post Is this the first time anyone has voted?
this is standard practice.
 (savage^, Thu 6 May 2010, 21:18, , Reply)
This is a normal post there was a rosetted Tory at my poll, who I politely refused to give my number to.
But he was inside the building, albeit in the foyer, not in the actual hall where the voting was taking place. Not sure whether that's wrong or not. Maybe I should nip back with 6 mins to go and see if he's still there...
 (I helped save b3ta! Paster of Muppets is an incredible screen name, Thu 6 May 2010, 21:54, , Reply)
This is a normal post My dad...
My dad just tells them he's a national front activist (he's not..) and they normally shy away. That is my tip for the next election (In 4 weeks)
 (nobface part time paperboy full time gangsta, Fri 7 May 2010, 13:17, , Reply)
This is a normal post Can you not complain to the electoral commission?

(horrid, Fri 7 May 2010, 18:06, , Reply)