Voting pencil conspiracy theory

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The voting pencil conspiracy theory is a conspiracy theory that using the pencils provided in British polling stations allows the result to be changed by MI5. [1] Promoters of the theory urge people to use pen on the basis that it makes 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 theory. [2] [3] Legally, voters are free to use the pencil or bring their own pen. [4] The Electoral Commission states that 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 that a pencil be offered but voters are free to bring their own pen. [8]

References

  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 logo PLoS transparent.svg 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.
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