Polling stations open for EU Referendum vote

With the campaigning over, polls have opened on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave.

The question on the ballot paper is ‘Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?’.

Voters will be instructed to put a cross in the box for their preferred outcome - ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ or ‘Leave the European Union’.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Counting will begin as soon as polls close. The result will be announced in Manchester when all 382 voting areas have declared.

Ben Brook, Head of the English Regions at the Electoral Commission, said: “The Electoral Commission has sent an impartial voting guide to every household in the UK which is full of information on what to expect on polling day and how to take part.

"On 23 June, voters across the UK will get the chance to have a say on an issue of real importance, and we want everyone to feel confident in casting their vote.”

Most common EU Referendum polling day questions
1. How do I know which polling station I should use?
The polling station you must use to vote in person will be listed on your polling card. You must vote at the station for your area.

2. When are polling stations open?
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 23 June. Experience is that these tend to be much busier later in the day when there may be some queues.

3. I’ve lost my polling card – can I still vote?
Yes you can but you will need to go to the polling station for the address at which you are registered to vote. It will save time if you take your polling card to the polling station, but you can vote without it provided your name appears on the register.

4. I’ve got a postal vote but haven’t posted it in time – can I still vote?
Yes – just take your completed postal ballot form to any polling station in the borough before 10 pm, tell the clerk that you have a postal ballot, and hand it to the clerk. Your vote will go to the count centre to be counted. Don’t post this on Thursday 23 June as it will not arrive in time to be counted.

5. How do I know if I am registered to vote?
If you’ve received a polling card then you are registered to vote. The deadline for registering to vote in the EU referendum was 9 June. If you are not registered you will not be able to vote.

The Electoral Commission advises voters not to take photos inside their polling station as they could potentially breach the secrecy of the ballot requirements.

For more information visit http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/uk-voters