littleboyblue Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I've just agreed to a wee shift at my local polling station door from 9pm to close of the polls next week. It has just struck me that might involve observing the closing of the ballot boxes, is that likely to be the case? Its not something I've done before so anything I should be aware of? I'll probably nip in to my campaign shop this weekend but thought the TAMB would be as good a place to look for answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Whoever you agreed the shift with should have given you, or pointed you towards the Polling Staff handbook: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/164255/EPE-Polling-station-handbook.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 And they shouldn't be a dick like me and direct you to the wrong one http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/175620/Polling-station-handbook-UKPGE-Combined.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleboyblue Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 Thanks, Scunnered. I'll have a look at that later - back to work now I'm afraid. Just to be clear, (well, I think anyway!) I have just agreed to be a visual presence at the door, not what I would class as polling station staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamntg Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I did a stint on the door for the referendum and they didn't let us near the ballot boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Thanks, Scunnered. I'll have a look at that later - back to work now I'm afraid. Just to be clear, (well, I think anyway!) I have just agreed to be a visual presence at the door, not what I would class as polling station staff. Ah. If you're at the door with your SNP/Labour/Conservative rosette greeting folk you usually won't be allowed into the polling station while the presiding officer does their thing. My polling station has an off room where canvassers are usually offered a coffee & Tea but that's about the sum of their access. If you're handing out leaflets etc on the day you won't be allowed in the polling station during polling hours... Even to keep dry if its pishing it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flure Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 And if you do go into the Polling Place, take off your party indentifiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YORKIE PAM Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I'm a Presiding Officer & have been told that if there's a queue about 21.45 you need to give out raffle tickets to everyone there before 22.00 so they get a vote after the official closing time. You'll probably be doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giblet Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Also, no leafletting within polling station grounds but look out for slabour doing that right at the gates, have past form and did it at the referendum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Also, no leafletting within polling station grounds but look out for slabour doing that right at the gates, have past form and did it at the referendum. That's interesting. Our polling station allows leafleting on the grounds but not within the building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flure Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 That's interesting. Our polling station allows leafleting on the grounds but not within the building. Your Polling Place is not applying the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Your Polling Place is not applying the rules. 2012 guidelines, couldn't find newer: (3) Canvassing Canvassing or the offering of literature within the polling place is not allowed. For this purpose, the polling place shall be the building containing the polling stations. Where the polling place is a school etc. surrounded by a car park or playground, canvassers/tellers MAY be permitted to operate in the playground but outside the building so long as they do not inconvenience voters. In case of complaint they will require to confine their activities to the public road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giblet Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 its up to the Official within the count as to where they define the area of the polling station. It will be made clear at start to allow you to know where to put the A frames down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flure Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 2012 guidelines, couldn't find newer: (3) Canvassing Canvassing or the offering of literature within the polling place is not allowed. For this purpose, the polling place shall be the building containing the polling stations. Where the polling place is a school etc. surrounded by a car park or playground, canvassers/tellers MAY be permitted to operate in the playground but outside the building so long as they do not inconvenience voters. In case of complaint they will require to confine their activities to the public road. Well, well, well. That's contrary to everything I've been told and known down the years. Thanks for pointing that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) Well, well, well. That's contrary to everything I've been told and known down the years. Thanks for pointing that out. Of course this could be a recent development as you're, shall we say more "mature" than me? Edited May 1, 2015 by Scunnered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flure Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Of course this could be a recent development as you're, shall we say more "mature" than me? And older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 And older. Hmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilly71 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I find it just depends on whoever turns up from the other parties. If theres more than one entrance to a polling station it makes sense to stand at the door to the polling station itself, it might be dryer too. Ive had labour guys wanting us to follow the "rules" and stand at the outside entrance and others who are happy to do whatever makes the most sense. I generally find that Labour in our neck of the woods tend to only have folk available from 5ish when it starts getting busier. i was on a polling station in Cambuslang with 3 different labour guys who did an hour each, they were drinking buddies of the local Labour cooncilor and were on the promise of a couple of pints for their time, Only 1 of the 3 were actually Labour voters (one of them had voted for every party over the years including the bnp!). Make sure yer wearing comfy shoes as staunin around all day will make them ache. Im doing my local polling station all day and its a long boring shift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishcumnock Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Me too , bottle o bru , plenty fags and maybe make a sandwich board for my boy if he wants pocket money ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleboyblue Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 i was on a polling station in Cambuslang Which one? Mine is in Cambuslang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilly71 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 That was in 2011 at James Aytoun primary school ( the auld ane). Im on polling duty at Cathkin high next Thursday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintlyscot Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Apart from being a canvasser/presence your party can register you as a polling agent. This entitles you to check the turnout during the day and witness the sealing of the boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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