After all these years, I think the two people who are always there when I go to vote pretty much know everyone who's likely to turn up by sight.
It's only a secret ballot by virtue of the fact that they don't bother to cross-check. If you observe the process carefully, you'll see that you are given a numbered ballot and that your name is recorded on a separate sheet against that ballot.
The reason for this is that if you turn up and discover that you've already voted (i.e. someone else gave your name), there is a procedure whereby you can cast another vote which is placed in a sealed envelope (presumably after verifying your ID). If the vote is close enough, they will then search out the original one and open yours. If the two are the same then no change, otherwise they can adjust the vote accordingly. Obviously it's no longer secret at this point.
When all procedures have been observed, the papers are all burned to destroy the record. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the record of who got which paper is kept separate from the ballot papers so that is nearly impossible for someone to discover who voted which way.
As for voting fraud, postal voting is much easier to spoof, which is why I think it's a bad thing that it's been made too easy.
no subject
Date: 2012-11-15 06:43 pm (UTC)It's only a secret ballot by virtue of the fact that they don't bother to cross-check. If you observe the process carefully, you'll see that you are given a numbered ballot and that your name is recorded on a separate sheet against that ballot.
The reason for this is that if you turn up and discover that you've already voted (i.e. someone else gave your name), there is a procedure whereby you can cast another vote which is placed in a sealed envelope (presumably after verifying your ID). If the vote is close enough, they will then search out the original one and open yours. If the two are the same then no change, otherwise they can adjust the vote accordingly. Obviously it's no longer secret at this point.
When all procedures have been observed, the papers are all burned to destroy the record. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the record of who got which paper is kept separate from the ballot papers so that is nearly impossible for someone to discover who voted which way.
As for voting fraud, postal voting is much easier to spoof, which is why I think it's a bad thing that it's been made too easy.
D