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Noting voting fine print

12:52pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

I have just attended a class as a poll clerk learning how to run our polling station for this coming election.

My class were absolutely gobsmacked at the idea that the Mayor was highly likely to be chosen by the second vote, as the first choice vote just narrows it down to the final two, and the decider will be from the second choice vote.

We were all ignorant of that fact, and our tutor pointed out that it seems Joe Public is too.

Would you please give great emphasis on this point in your media coverage especially in the run-up days as we could get hoodwinked into getting our wrong first choice.

Also most people don't realise they will have three ballot papers and will have to vote for: 1) Mayor (SVS) - first and second choice votes 2) Constituency members (FPP) - 1 vote 3) London members (PR system) - 1 vote This could cause massive hold-ups when issuing ballot papers as electors will want an explanation of what these papers are.

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