This is for anyone thinking of not voting in the general election tomorrow.
That’s your right, but I just want to make you aware how parties feel about non-voters.
The obvious thing is, “They don’t care what you think because you don’t vote.”
But it’s a bit worse than that
/1
That’s your right, but I just want to make you aware how parties feel about non-voters.
The obvious thing is, “They don’t care what you think because you don’t vote.”
But it’s a bit worse than that
/1
If you don’t vote you are enormously helpful to a well-organised political party.
In fact, something that isn’t really talked about is how being efficient and organised wins you elections.
When I was in the SNP we were masters at this.
So how do you win an election?
/2
In fact, something that isn’t really talked about is how being efficient and organised wins you elections.
When I was in the SNP we were masters at this.
So how do you win an election?
/2
1. Identify your voters
2. Get them out to vote. Ideally without getting everyone else’s out.
1 is why (if they know what they are doing) people are knocking on your door. Mostly they aren’t trying to persuade you of anything. They’re trying to find out how you vote.
/3
2. Get them out to vote. Ideally without getting everyone else’s out.
1 is why (if they know what they are doing) people are knocking on your door. Mostly they aren’t trying to persuade you of anything. They’re trying to find out how you vote.
/3
“The SNP came to my door and I told them where to go!”
Great. Now I know I don’t have to bother with you on polling day.
You knock on every door and ask how people are going to vote. I don’t care exactly how you’re going to vote. I just want to know if you’re voting SNP.
/4
Great. Now I know I don’t have to bother with you on polling day.
You knock on every door and ask how people are going to vote. I don’t care exactly how you’re going to vote. I just want to know if you’re voting SNP.
/4
What happens next depends on how competent I am. If I am very competent and organised then people who will never vote for my party in a million years may find they don’t get leaflets or their door knocked on again. Because…
/5
/5
Why remind them there’s an election? In fact, if they ask me when the election is I may even mumble and say I’m not exactly sure.
Because I don’t want them voting on the day. And I don’t want the opposition knowing what we’re doing.
/6
Because I don’t want them voting on the day. And I don’t want the opposition knowing what we’re doing.
/6
I remember standing at a polling station…
Labour election agent: “Some campaign you ran! How many leaflets did you put out?”
I didn’t reply.
“One! That’s all.”
Actually, it was 7 but he and his friends only got one. So they didn’t bother putting out many of their own.
/7
Labour election agent: “Some campaign you ran! How many leaflets did you put out?”
I didn’t reply.
“One! That’s all.”
Actually, it was 7 but he and his friends only got one. So they didn’t bother putting out many of their own.
/7
On election day you start knocking on doors as early as possible.
That’s why people are at your door at 10 in the morning asking if you’ve voted yet and offering you a lift. They’re reminding you. Next door isn’t getting their door knocked on because they vote Labour.
/8
That’s why people are at your door at 10 in the morning asking if you’ve voted yet and offering you a lift. They’re reminding you. Next door isn’t getting their door knocked on because they vote Labour.
/8
I want my vote out and everyone else’s at home. This can make a big difference.
Turnout for council elections is usually under 50%. For general elections it’s under 70%.
Here’s how you win a seat you shouldn’t have a chance in…
/9
Turnout for council elections is usually under 50%. For general elections it’s under 70%.
Here’s how you win a seat you shouldn’t have a chance in…
/9
The result from your seat last time:
Labour 800
SNP 600
Conservative 300
Lib Dem 200
Spoiled. 19
Turnout: 50%
You might think you win this time by getting 300 voters to switch. Sounds like a lot of work.
/10
Labour 800
SNP 600
Conservative 300
Lib Dem 200
Spoiled. 19
Turnout: 50%
You might think you win this time by getting 300 voters to switch. Sounds like a lot of work.
/10
Here’s what you do.
50% turnout means it’s likely 600 of your voters never went to the polling station. That’s plenty. You find them and make sure they go and vote. Drive them there if you have to.
Then you win.
/11
50% turnout means it’s likely 600 of your voters never went to the polling station. That’s plenty. You find them and make sure they go and vote. Drive them there if you have to.
Then you win.
/11
That’s what parties are doing. They are using low turnout to turn 32% of the vote into 44%.
But you don’t vote so this isn’t relevant to you. Except, you are letting this happen.
You might not care. That’s fine.
But maybe consider spoiling your ballot.
Why?
3 reasons
/12
But you don’t vote so this isn’t relevant to you. Except, you are letting this happen.
You might not care. That’s fine.
But maybe consider spoiling your ballot.
Why?
3 reasons
/12
1. If you tell me you’re not voting I couldn’t care less: you’re irrelevant to my game. I’m not wasting time on you.
But if you say you’re going to the vote and spoil your ballot, I’m interested. 50% don’t go at all. Maybe I can see what the problem is and get your vote.
/13
But if you say you’re going to the vote and spoil your ballot, I’m interested. 50% don’t go at all. Maybe I can see what the problem is and get your vote.
/13
Also, we had marked up registers from the last election showing who voted. Some people would tell us, “I always vote for you!” but we knew they didn’t vote at all (and were probably lying about supporting us). Dead to me!
You are of more interest to me than them.
/14
You are of more interest to me than them.
/14
2. At the count, before the result is announced, the returning officer takes the agents aside and goes through spoiled ballots to check everyone agrees they should be rejected.
Your message is seen.
They might not care, but it will be seen.
Unlike if you don’t vote.
/15
Your message is seen.
They might not care, but it will be seen.
Unlike if you don’t vote.
/15
3. If the day comes when there are 50% spoiled ballots, all saying the same thing, the candidates will be interested. Those are people going to the polling station. Actual voters.
50% not voting? Who cares? Maybe those people have moved away or aren’t interested in politics
/16
50% not voting? Who cares? Maybe those people have moved away or aren’t interested in politics
/16
It’s your choice, but I would encourage you to spoil your ballot rather than not vote.
Don’t make parties think they can manipulate the system. Don’t let them think you don’t care.
Because then they won’t either.
/16 /e
Don’t make parties think they can manipulate the system. Don’t let them think you don’t care.
Because then they won’t either.
/16 /e
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