Re: a sufficiently motivated person could in fact find out exactly how I voted.
They do this despite my patiently explaining to them the problem I have with them doing it.
I believe it's required by law, and can be used to discount votes when a) there's been personation and b) the result was close enough that individual votes could matter.
As for the ballot being secret, it's secret from Joe Bloggs, but not necessarily the state. I don't know whether it still happens, but back in the 60s and 70s observers at counts reported seeing the bundles of votes for the Communist Party (and similar far left parties) being handed to known police officers who were thought to be Special Branch.
Finding out who someone voted for is hard, finding out who voted for someone is a lot easier.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
