The right to vote is something to cherish in a democratic country.
People have fought and died for the right of the people of Britain to exercise their franchise.
So perhaps it is not surprising why some of the electorate who turn up at their to vote are concerned when they are given a pencil to do so.
Surely a pencil mark is easier to erase than ink from a pen, which increases the (hopefully extremely unlikely) risk that a rogue election worker could edit your paper and, in theory, change your vote?
So why are pencils made available in polling booths across the country instead of pens?
Ahead of the EU referendum in June, 2016, using a pencil became a thorny issue. Voter Kenneth Priestly sent a Freedom of Information request to the Electoral Commission three days before the vote to find out why pencils are issued.
He was told by the Electoral Commission that the use of a pen or pencil when completing the ballot paper is not specified in legislation and were used partly for historic and partly for practical reasons.
What are the “practical reasons”?
Ink can dry out or spill, and can transfer onto other ballot papers. Pencil marks are far less likely to do that.
Does that mean you can’t bring my own pen and have to use the pencil?
No, you are allowed to take your own pen in and use that to mark your X if you would prefer. If you’re doing this, use one which has ink which dries quickly and doesn’t spill. A biro is perfect. Also remember to fold your paper in half before dropping it in the ballot box.
But are pencils safer?
It’s not clear. But the Electoral Commission says they do not increase the risk that your vote could be tampered with.
What was pencilgate?
During the EU referendum ‘Leave’ supporters went into conspiracy theory mode about pencils being used to cast their vote, fearing they could be erased and later changed. So after a bout of social media angst, the call went out to bring your own pens.
