Proxy vote in the EU referendum.

pitkin · 10 Jun 2016 at 09:25

My aunt and uncle, who live in Cyprus have asked my wife to cast their vote for them by proxy.
I'm just wondering, what's stopping someone from using a proxy vote to vote for who they want, or not even casting their votes? Is it traceable?

tom_e · 10 Jun 2016 at 09:26

Absolutely nothing and that's why you should use someone you trust.

Boycey0211 · 10 Jun 2016 at 10:53

Sounds like vote fraud in the making....

LeeUK · 10 Jun 2016 at 11:23

Proxy voting is nothing new. Proxy voting has been allowed for all elections, not just this EU thing.

pitkin · 11 Jun 2016 at 09:26

Boycey0211 said:
Sounds like vote fraud in the making....

I was just wondering as I don't see the point in voting now. My wife and I will vote one way, then she'll be casting two votes for my Aunt and Uncle the other way. They'll just be cancelling each other out. I might as well just save half an hour of my life and not bother.

dymetrie · 11 Jun 2016 at 09:44

pitkin said:
I was just wondering as I don't see the point in voting now. My wife and I will vote one way, then she'll be casting two votes for my Aunt and Uncle the other way. They'll just be cancelling each other out. I might as well just save half an hour of my life and not bother.

But what if the result is the opposite of what you votes for and it was because of 1 vote? You and your wife would have lost the vote because you thought it was pointless...

Feef · 11 Jun 2016 at 09:48

tom_e said:
Absolutely nothing and that's why you should use someone you trust.

This, basically. I'm doing a proxy vote as I have little faith in the postal system here (or in the UK to be fair) to get the form to me and back by the deadline.

My proxy is my ex-girlfriend. No way that could go wrong

Kenai · 11 Jun 2016 at 09:52

dymetrie said:
But what if the result is the opposite of what you votes for and it was because of 1 vote? You and your wife would have lost the vote because you thought it was pointless...

How did you figure that one? Both sides would have two more votes.

Destination · 11 Jun 2016 at 10:11

pitkin said:
My aunt and uncle, who live in Cyprus have asked my wife to cast their vote for them by proxy.
I'm just wondering, what's stopping someone from using a proxy vote to vote for who they want, or not even casting their votes? Is it traceable?

I thought you had to apply for a proxy in advance, you certainly have to here in Norn Iron, and you can only be a proxy for one person.
Is it different in England, do you just turn up and vote three times?

Feef · 11 Jun 2016 at 10:14

Hikari Kisugi said:
I thought you had to apply for a proxy in advance, you certainly have to here in Norn Iron, and you can only be a proxy for one person.
Is it different in England, do you just turn up and vote three times?

You do have to register in advance, but if I remember correctly, one person can be a proxy for up to two others, and more if they're direct relations.

dymetrie · 11 Jun 2016 at 10:20

Kenai said:
How did you figure that one? Both sides would have two more votes.

Because he said he didn't see the point in him and his wife voting, not that he wouldn't honour the request to make the proxy votes.

Kenai · 11 Jun 2016 at 10:22

dymetrie said:
Because he said he didn't see the point in him and his wife voting, not that he wouldn't honour the request to make the proxy votes.

Surely the comment about not wasting half an hour made it obvious he meant placing none of the votes :confused:

What you're suggesting would be completely pointless and stupid

pitkin · 11 Jun 2016 at 10:26

Kenai said:
Surely the comment about not wasting half an hour made it obvious he meant placing none of the votes

What you're suggesting would be completely pointless and stupid

Yes, I meant not making any votes at all, as they just cancel each other out.

Arthur Hucksake · 11 Jun 2016 at 12:24

Just put forward the two exit votes and put the stay in ones in the bin. Sorted!