Voting Pencil Conspiracy Theory

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 leave voters in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and was widespread during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum.^[1] On Twitter the hashtag #Userpens was used to promote the theory.^[2] Legally, voters are free to use the pencil or bring their own pen.^[3]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Etehad, Melissa (23 June 2019). "Pencil or pen? An unusual conspiracy theory grips Brexit vote". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/23/pencil-or-pen-an-unusual-conspiracy-theory-grips-brexit-vote/.
↑ 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. doi:10.1002/poi3.203. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/poi3.203. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
↑ Addley, Esther (23 June 2016). "EU ballot papers: pencils draw conspiracy fears". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/eu-ballot-papers-pencils-conspiracy-fears-social-media-voters.

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[Etehad-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Etehad, Melissa (23 June 2019). "Pencil or pen? An unusual conspiracy theory grips Brexit vote". Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/23/pencil-or-pen-an-unusual-conspiracy-theory-grips-brexit-vote/.

[Dobreva-2] 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. doi:10.1002/poi3.203. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/poi3.203. Retrieved 12 December 2019.

[Addley-3] Addley, Esther (23 June 2016). "EU ballot papers: pencils draw conspiracy fears". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/eu-ballot-papers-pencils-conspiracy-fears-social-media-voters.