2021 Local elections

[brogdale]

Seems to me that we're getting pretty close to a point when they're going to have to make a call on whether any of the proposed May 2021 (inc. postponed 2020 ones) elections can possibly go ahead as scheduled.

Anyone picking up any vibes? I gather that the EROs have, sensibly, all been ploughing ahead with the usual prep...but I just can't see how they can realistically be envisaging safely getting people to gather in polling stations or sports hall counts, let alone expect there to be any 'normal' party campaigning over the next few months.

 

[JTG]

 

[ddraig]

I've had a form to fill in asking about social distancing at my station and how many people could safely queue inside and out and asking for suggestions
It claims screens/PPE/tape to mark floor etc will all be provided

As you say, seems ambitious

 

[brogdale]

I've had a form to fill in asking about social distancing at my station and how many people could safely queue inside and out and asking for suggestions
It claims screens/PPE/tape to mark floor etc will all be provided

As you say, seems ambitious

If they postpone again, I'd imagine they'd go for Autumn?

 

[StoneRoad]

Northumberland Council's electoral register dept are asking if people want to register for postal voting ...

 

[ddraig]

If they postpone again, I'd imagine they'd go for Autumn?

or next May!

 

[brogdale]

or next May!

Making Khan's 1st term 6 years!

 

[moochedit]

The americans managed it recently so i don't see why we can't.

Couldn't they just do an all postal vote? (Normally i prefer to vote at the polling station but i can see why postal voting might be better during the pandemic)

If they do have voting in polling stations i'm sure they could have masks, screens, hand sanitiser machines by the door, etc. No worse than going into a shop.

 

[brogdale]

The americans managed it recently so i don't see why we can't.

Couldn't they just do an all postal vote? (Normally i prefer to vote at the polling station but i can see why postal voting might be better during the pandemic)

If they do have voting in polling stations i'm sure they could have masks, hand sanitiser machines by the door, etc. No worse than going into a shop.

True, but I'm not sure Trump's America is the model of best practice our authorities should necessarily follow?
Irrespective of getting everyone to vote postally (not a chance in hell) there's still the very labour intensive counts that would necessitate large numbers of folk getting together.

Be interesting to see which way they jump on this tbh.

 

[brogdale]

Oh well, I was clearly wrong to be so pessimistic...off we go...but BYO pencil!

 

[ddraig]

Wonder how well that message will be conveyed!

 

[brogdale]

Wonder how well that message will be conveyed!

A form of voter suppression I'd not previously thought of.

 

[ddraig]

A form of voter suppression I'd not previously thought of.

Guess there would have to be loads of available disposable pens/pencils

 

[brogdale]

Guess there would have to be loads of available disposable pens/pencils

You'd think...but...based on my council...hmmmm

 

[The39thStep]

Oh well, I was clearly wrong to be so pessimistic...off we go...but BYO pencil!

View attachment 252915

They did the same in the Portuguese Presidential elections

 

[moochedit]

Guess there would have to be loads of available disposable pens/pencils

And masks.

 

[brogdale]

They did the same in the Portuguese Presidential elections

Do you know what happened if you turned up without your own? Disposables?
I suppose the bookies pens must be pretty cheap?

 

[moochedit]

Do you know what happened if you turned up without your own? Disposables?
I suppose the bookies pens must be pretty cheap?

Don't worry it'll be fine. Tory party workers will wait outside the polling station with pens for people they like the look of

 

[brogdale]

Don't worry it'll be fine. Tory party workers will wait outside the polling station with pens for people they like the look of

Cue £22bn contract for fiddly little pens to Dildo Harding's company.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Build a time machine, go back to 1990's Argos and rob the place blind

 

[lazythursday]

Might they have problems staffing the elections? Suspect a lot of those who have done it before won't want to this time.

 

[brogdale]

Might they have problems staffing the elections? Suspect a lot of those who have done it before won't want to this time.

Yep, fucked if I'd want to sit sardine-style around folding tables in a sports hall for hours on end.

 

[moochedit]

Might they have problems staffing the elections? Suspect a lot of those who have done it before won't want to this time.

It'll be fine.... i am sure some anti mask qanon types will volenteer

 

[quiet guy]

Bolsover have sent letters out asking if voters want a postal vote. I've opted for it as I don't fancy going to the socal club to vote given the state of some of the locals who can't distance themselves or wear masks.

 

[moochedit]

Yep, fucked if I'd want to sit sardine-style around folding tables in a sports hall for hours on end.

Plastic screens around the table like they have in all the shops i guess?

 

[brogdale]

Plastic screens around the table like they have in all the shops i guess?

Yeah, but that's a fuck tonne of screens and all in the enclosed space...doesn't sound great, does it?

 

[Dom Traynor]

The NZ general election last year was BYO pens but we still had pens available that were allegedly sterilised after each use.

 

[ddraig]

Might they have problems staffing the elections? Suspect a lot of those who have done it before won't want to this time.

Yup, and lots of them are proper ancient
But if you turn it down you lose your station, usually

 

[Dom Traynor]

I hope Handforth Parish council will be holding elections they should be fun.

 

[ddraig]

The info i've had said there would be screens and also only 2 in voting booth as opposed to usual 4 to allow social distancing
Not that 2 would be 2m away either