Spoil Your Ballot Barbados

WHY SPOIL YOUR BALLOT?

Send a message to all of our politicians that they need to do better for us! Let the BLP know that not every citizen agrees with and supports everything that they have done. Let the DLP know that they are not currently a viable alternative and they need new people, new leadership and new policies.

Spoiling your ballot records that you were registered, present and refused what was on offer!

Barbados needs meaningful Governmental reform such as fixed election dates every four or five years, term limits for Prime Ministers and for certain public servant positions to be filled by the People during General Elections. For example, the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions should be elected by the People to create a fully independent check and balance on our politicians.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND SPOIL YOUR BALLOT?

We are civic minded Barbadian citizens who feel let down by our current form of democracy and think Barbadians should demand real changes to our current system of Government.

Our current system of Government only ever benefits a small number of Barbadians. Becoming Independent and becoming a Republic have not changed this.

We act lawfully and peacefully, and we will not be silenced. We welcome collaboration with individuals and like-minded civic groups.

HOW DO YOU SPOIL YOUR BALLOT?

DON'T MARK ANY CANDIDATE BOX

Don't make any mark in any box next to a candidate's name.

WRITE "CHANGE" ON THE BALLOT

DON'T MARK ANY CANDIDATE BOX

Instead, write the word "Change" on your ballot paper.

YOUR VOTE WILL BE RECORDED

DON'T MARK ANY CANDIDATE BOX

YOUR VOTE WILL BE RECORDED

It's legal to intentionally spoil your ballot and just like no one will know who you voted for, no one will know that you spoiled your ballot. Spoiled votes are not counted for any candidate, but they are recorded and reported separately in the count.

faq

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about spoiling your ballot.

Is it legal to purposely spoil my BALLOT?

Yes. It's absolutely legal in Barbados to cast a ballot that's later ruled spoilt/invalid. Such spoiled votes aren't counted for any candidate, but they are recorded and reported separately at the count.

What's the difference between staying home and spoiling my BALLOT?

Not voting leaves you invisible. You're not counted in turnout and no one knows why you didn't vote. It can be written off as apathy, being busy, long lines or bad weather. Spoiling your ballot shows you care. You're counted in turnout and your spoiled ballot is recorded in the official results. The number of spoiled votes is reported publicly, so if many do, it's a clear measurable signal that people rejected the choices but not democracy itself.

Can I take a photo of my spoiled BALLOT?

No. Don't photograph a marked ballot or take selfies in the booth—polling staff won't allow it as it risks breaching ballot secrecy and can be an offence.

Where will I be able to see the spoiled BALLOT results?

After the final count, the Returning Officer in each constituency will announce the number of votes cast for each candidate AND the number of spoiled votes. These results are part of the official election results published by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.