Who says democracy's in crisis?

[alexsarll]

So I went to do my democratic duty by sitting in the park reading a so-so X-Men crossover - sorry, I mean by voting for whichever seemed like the least worst option in today's European elections, just by way of keeping the christians and the Nazis out. Went en route to signing on, round about school hometime; left extra time because I assumed a lot of mums would be there as part of the same trip, some with kids in tow, which always slows things down. And hey, even this close to the Andover Estate most mums are old enough to vote (I'm joking, of course - the Andover Estate has its own polling station).
There was precisely one other voter in there. And the ballot boxes looked worryingly reminiscent of shredders.

Comments

[puzzled-anwen.livejournal.com]

I took my mum along to her polling station at lunchtime and we were the only ones there. She told me not to come into the booth with her (as she has cataracts and could only just read the paper) and I said "oh, I wouldn't dare, you've got a bigger [walking/symbol] stick than me!" and the ladies running the place said they'd had a visit from the police to check that there hadn't been any fights!

I think Hackney still uses the same ballot boxes they've had since the year dot, great hulking black metal boxes that you have to fold the now-massive papers many times to actually get them in.

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those I'm used to, and I think there was a brief spate of reinforced cardboard ones, but these looked hi-tech. Only not in a good way.

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

I think mine was just an actual bin! Hooray!

[barrysarll.livejournal.com]

Can I just comment on how impressively gay that icon is? Yes? Thank you.

[atommickbrane.livejournal.com]

x2

[puzzled-anwen.livejournal.com]

I like the oldness of the Hackney ones, myself. I am mostly pro-hi-techosity, but in some things you can't beat a bit of old skule.