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Voting pencil conspiracy theory

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The voting pencil conspiracy theory is a conspiracy theory that using the pencils provided in polling stations allows the result to be changed by some other organisation. In 2016 in Britain, it was suggested votes would be changed by the security agency MI5.[1]

UK conspiracy theory

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In 2016, promoters of the theory urged people to use pens on the basis that it made it harder for MI5 to change the vote.[1] The theory originated with "Yes" voters in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and was widespread among "Leave" voters during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum.[1] On Twitter, the hashtags #Usepens and #Pencilgate were used to promote the conspiracy theory.[2][3]

UK reality

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Legally, voters are free to use the pencil or bring their own pen.[4] The Electoral Commission states pencils are offered due to greater reliability and reduced risk of ink being transferred across a folded ballot paper.[5]

The conspiracy theory later spread beyond the UK and featured in the 2022 Australian federal election.[6] The conspiracy theory also spread to Canada in the 2025 federal election.[7] Canadian election law requires a pencil be offered but voters are free to bring their own pen.[8]

Associated history

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In many countries the right to vote was limited to persons with property and wealth;[9] who would have carried a personal fountain pen. Later on voting was extended to most men. Women were allowed to vote in Australia from 1902,[10] and in Great Britain in 1918 (if over 30) and in 1930 (all women over 21).[11] Pencils were therefore a simple device to enable participation in the democratic process. (In one instance in 1934 demonstrating the unreliability of ink, the voter's personal fountain pen reservoir was empty when attending a polling place.[12])

László Bíró (1899–1985) patented the first commercially-successful ink-writable instrument, the ball-point fountain pen, in 1938. As early as 1902, the Australian Electoral Act required the provision of pencils in voting booths;[a] but eligible voters were not required to use them to mark ballot papers.[14][15] Canadian legislation has similar provisions for federal elections.[16]

Voter concern over the use of lead pencil compared to indelible ink or pencil was raised as early as 1940 in Australia, with a response that "ordinary pencils... are provided, as thicker lead blurs and becomes indecipherable", separate to the usual scrutineering process ensuring no subsequent alteration of ballots.[17]

Other than easy to use by and reliable for users, pencils was suitable for the task (unlike ink pens):[14][15][16]

  • cheap to purchase, and cheap to replace;[b]
  • can be used in successive elections;
  • easy to store between elections;
  • do not dry out when left or stored;
  • easily made workable with a pencil sharpener with little skill required; and
  • do not readily smudge when ballot papers are folded, which may lead to rejection of those votes (such as more candidates selected than permitted[19]).

While marks made by a pencil can be removed, a 2013 Australian Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters committee found no evidence of tampering.[14][20] Pen marks may also be crossed out.[21] None of this precludes a voter from supplying one's own writing instrument.[14][15] The vote counting process with scrutineers, and other security processes remain in place.[22] Where there is a spoiled ballot, the voter will just request a new ballot.

In Canada, the Québec provincial elections require the use of pencil only, given to "ensure the secrecy of the vote" given voters use the same quality of pencil so their voting preferences cannot be identified on the paper, or which person voted.[22]

Notes

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  1. ↑ Crayons had also been provided at one time in early Australian federal election, but users could use a pen or pencil as long as the marks were clear and legible.[13]
  2. ↑ There were reports of the then blue-lead pencils being "souvenired" by voters at Australian elections.[18] At this time, the pencils were quite long.

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 Etehad, Melissa (23 June 2016). "Pencil or pen? An unusual conspiracy theory grips Brexit vote". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Open access icon Dobreva, Diyana; Grinnell, Daniel; Innes, Martin (6 May 2019). "Prophets and Loss: How "Soft Facts" on Social Media Influenced the Brexit Campaign and Social Reactions to the Murder of Jo Cox MP". Policy & Internet. 12 (2): 144–164. doi:10.1002/poi3.203.
  3. ↑ "Keith's mum, pencil plots and other EU referendum day trends". BBC News. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  4. ↑ Addley, Esther (23 June 2016). "EU ballot papers: pencils draw conspiracy fears". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  5. ↑ Handbook for polling station staff – Supporting a UK Parliamentary election in Great Britain (PDF). The Electoral Commission. 2024. p. 65. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  6. ↑ Graham, Ben (20 April 2022). "Pauline Hanson addresses pencil conspiracy for the 2022 federal election". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Lord, Craig (21 April 2025). "Pen or pencil? Elections Canada says it doesn't matter when casting a ballot". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  8. ↑ Goldhamer, Marisha (17 April 2025). "Misleading claims about voting in pencil resurface in Canada". AFP Fact Check. AFP. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Cartwright, Mark (3 April 2018). "Athenian Democracy". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  10. ↑ Christine, Lindop (2008). Australia and New Zealand. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-19-423390-3. OCLC 361237847.
  11. ↑ Stearns, Peter N. (2008), The Oxford encyclopedia of the modern world, Volume 7. Oxford University Press, p. 160.
  12. ↑ "In the north". The Mercury. Vol. CXLI, no. 20, 938. Tasmania, Australia. 17 September 1934. p. 9. Retrieved 8 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Protest over pencils used at election". The Morning Bulletin. No. 24, 939. Queensland, Australia. 31 August 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 8 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Why do we have pencils and not pens at polling booths?". SBS Arabic. SBS Australia. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 "At the polling place – frequently asked questions". Australian Electoral Commission. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2026. While the provision of pencils used to be a legal requirement, since 2020 under section 206 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 the AEC is required to provide an 'implement or method for voters to mark their ballot papers'. The AEC has found from experience that pencils are the most reliable implements for marking ballot papers. Pencils are practical because they don't run out and the polling staff check and sharpen pencils as necessary throughout election day. Pencils can be stored between elections and they work better in tropical areas. There is, however nothing to prevent an elector from marking their ballot paper with a pen if they so wish.
  16. 1 2 LORD, Craig (21 April 2025). "Pen or pencil? Elections Canada says it doesn't matter when casting a ballot". CBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Pencil voting is quite safe". The Sun. No. 1956. New South Wales, Australia. 22 September 1940. p. 9. Retrieved 8 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ↑ "A retrospect". South Coast Bulletin. No. 1122. Queensland, Australia. 21 December 1949. p. 16. Retrieved 8 May 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions. Can you bring your own pen/pencil to the polling station?". London, England: Newham Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Inquiry into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2013 Federal Election and matters related thereto". Parliament of Australia. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  21. ↑ JONES, Indigo (7 May 2026). "The reason pencils are used in Senedd Election polling stations and not pens". North Wales Live. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Using a pencil to vote". Élections Québec. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
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