Why we’re using the pencil to vote in the 2024 general election

Millions of people will go to the polls to cast their votes in the 2024 general election on Thursday.

In the UK, 650 seats are up for grabs in the first national election of 2019, and 27 of these are in Greater Manchester. Rishi Sunak will be hoping to keep his Conservative Party in power, thereby extending his 14 years in Downing Street.

But Sir Keir Starmer’s is aiming to become the first Labor prime minister since Gordon Brown in 2010. Voters will head to polling stations between 7am and 10pm to cast their votes.

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Before you fill in your ballot paper, you’ll probably be handed a pencil to do so – but what’s the reason for providing pencils at polling stations instead of pens?

The debate over the use of pencils arose during the 2017 general election campaign when there was a flurry of social media posts suggesting that pencil marks could be erased, sparking fears of possible vote-rigging.

Pencils, often tied with string inside the polling booth, were a staple at polling stations for local, general and referendum votes. However, it is perfectly acceptable for a voter to bring their own pen to mark their ballot.

The Electoral Commission addressed the issue after receiving an inquiry from a concerned voter. Kenneth Priestly contacted the commission asking: “It has come to my attention that pencils have been used in polling stations, the mark is erasable. Given that this could give rise to fraud, why not use and provide black pens. “

The response clarified that although the legislation does not specify whether a pen or pencil should be used to complete the ballot paper, “in the UK, pencils are traditionally used for the purpose of marking ballot papers and are made available in polling stations for voters to use”.

It was argued that the use of pencils does not inherently increase the risk of electoral fraud, noting that: “While pencil marks can be erased, similarly, pen marks can be cut”.

There are practical reasons why pencils are provided, including their longevity compared to pens, cost effectiveness and reduced likelihood of smudges that could spoil the ballot.

The commission emphasized that the integrity of the electoral process is maintained from the moment a voter marks his ballot until the result is declared.

The legislation includes safeguards such as the requirement that seals be attached to black ballot boxes when the ballots are closed.