Example Papers

To ensure a ballot paper is recognised as spoilt and not counted as a vote, it should be marked clearly. The most reliable way to do this is to draw a diagonal line across the entire paper, extending beyond the candidate list at both ends. Additionally, write "SPOILT" above the line and "PAPER" below it, as shown in the next image.

The next best option is to use a diagonal line and no writing, as shown in the next image.

If the diagonal line does not extend at both ends beyond the candidate list, could officials argue that this is a pointer, pointing to the candidates located where the line terminates? In the next image, this would be Candidate A and Candidate G. Let's not given the officials any excuse here, by extending the line at both ends.

Leaving the ballot paper blank is risky in that, if there are blemishes on the paper (from printing, handling etc), those blemishes could be interpreted as markings made by the person casting the ballot paper.

The next example shows one large cross, covering all candidates. Common sense says that this should be  interpreted as "none of them". But these markings might be counted as a vote for the candidate located where the two lines intersect. In the example, this would be Candidate D.

A smaller cross would give officials even more of an excuse to count the markings as a vote, as illustrated in the next image.

In the next example, it may seem that this ballot paper could surely not be counted as a vote for one of the candidates.

However, if all but one of the crosses have a similar size, then the markings might be interpreted as a vote for the candidate whose name appears next to the differently sized cross. The markings below may be interpreted as a vote for Candidate B.

What about writing the name of this movement, ReformUK.org, on the ballot paper? This is risky because, at the time of the election, one of the candidates might be affiliated with a party whose name is similar to "ReformUK.org". Indeed, for the 2024 UK general election, there was a party named "Reform UK".

An image drawn across the whole ballot paper should, in theory, be counted as a spoilt paper. 

However, the location of the image could be used to interpret the markings as a vote. The clearest example of this would be to draw something in one of the candidate boxes, as illustrated below. These markings would likely be counted as a vote for Candidate E.

Conclusion

To ensure a ballot paper is counted as spoilt, rejected, or invalid, the markings must clearly indicate this intent. The most reliable method is shown in the first example: a diagonal line extending beyond the candidate list, with the words "SPOILT" and "PAPER" written diagonally. If you prefer not to write anything, the next best option is to use only the diagonal line, as shown in the second example on this page.