PCC Elections
Nov. 15th, 2012 05:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
I enjoy elections and think it is important to vote. So much so, I vote in two different countries where I am eligible to vote.
But I don't agree with today's PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner) elections. I think criminal justice is the one of the worst things to make directly elected (just look at elected prosecutors and judges in the US). So, I've been wondering what to do. Many people have suggested not voting or (better) deliberately spoiling their ballot as a protest. On the other hand one of the candidates does seem better qualified than the rest, so it would be a pity not to register my opinion. [*]
In the end, I went and marked "scrap PCC" (ie. spoilt) as my first choice and my preferred candidate (Tim Starkey, Labour) as second choice. I don't know whether that will be counted the way I want, but it's the best I can do. (They could discard the whole ballot as spoilt, or count my second choice as a first choice.)
The polling station was empty (apart from the tellers, one of whom was off making tea) when I went in at 5pm, so I guess most people are not voting. I told the teller that I was sorry that they had to be there, but he said he enjoyed elections. Even more than me, it seems!
* Also, The Economist argues "If turnout in next week’s elections is really low, England and Wales (Scotland is sensibly sticking with police authorities) could end up with mighty figures who feel untrammelled by public scrutiny."
But I don't agree with today's PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner) elections. I think criminal justice is the one of the worst things to make directly elected (just look at elected prosecutors and judges in the US). So, I've been wondering what to do. Many people have suggested not voting or (better) deliberately spoiling their ballot as a protest. On the other hand one of the candidates does seem better qualified than the rest, so it would be a pity not to register my opinion. [*]
In the end, I went and marked "scrap PCC" (ie. spoilt) as my first choice and my preferred candidate (Tim Starkey, Labour) as second choice. I don't know whether that will be counted the way I want, but it's the best I can do. (They could discard the whole ballot as spoilt, or count my second choice as a first choice.)
The polling station was empty (apart from the tellers, one of whom was off making tea) when I went in at 5pm, so I guess most people are not voting. I told the teller that I was sorry that they had to be there, but he said he enjoyed elections. Even more than me, it seems!
* Also, The Economist argues "If turnout in next week’s elections is really low, England and Wales (Scotland is sensibly sticking with police authorities) could end up with mighty figures who feel untrammelled by public scrutiny."
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Date: 2012-11-16 04:33 am (UTC)I guess it depends whether any analysis is done counting or reading spoilt ballots. I doubt your objection will reach Teresa May, but then what would.
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Date: 2012-11-16 07:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-11-16 12:18 pm (UTC)"Turnout was 12.9% in Merseyside, 13.3% in Thames Valley, and 13.5% in Greater Manchester. These figures include spoilt ballot papers."
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Date: 2012-11-16 09:35 am (UTC)On the issue of spoiling ballot papers I am generally opposed. Generally the figures quoted to support legitimacy are for turnout. Since if you spoil your ballot you are counted as part of the turnout but your vote doesn't affect the outcome it seems counterproductive.
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Date: 2012-11-16 05:14 pm (UTC)So not only do we have different rules in different countries in the UK, but different rules within England. Bristol gets a Mayor, but he can't control the Avon Police Constable.
Like the council elections, were London votes much less frequently than the rest of the UK, its a mess.