Tag: democracy

Voting in the EU Referendum is now well under way across the city – Edinburgh’s 145 polling places have now been open for two hours.

More than 345,000 people are registered to vote in Edinburgh, with around 79,000 of these postal voters. As of Wednesday, 22 June, 65,029 people had returned their postal vote (82.1%).

Polling places will be open for voting between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday, 23 June, when residents will be able to have their say on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union.

The public are being reminded to think carefully before casting their vote, and ensuring they do so by marking one clear X on their ballot paper beside either the ‘remain’ or ‘leave’ option.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Counting Officer for Edinburgh, said: “Our elections staff have spent weeks gearing up for Edinburgh’s part in the EU Referendum, and I hope the city’s voters are ready to have their say too.

“This is an important decision for the UK, so it is essential that the public are well aware of the question being asked of them, and ensure they make their intentions clear by marking one ‘X’ on their ballot paper.”

Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm today, Thursday, 23 June, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Information on local polling places can be found on the poll card delivered to homes or online. Individuals who are registered but have lost or have not received a poll card are still eligible to vote.

Postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at any Edinburgh polling place before 10pm.

Voters must be over 18 years old and a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a registered British overseas citizen.

Find out more about voting in Edinburgh on the Council website.

Edinburgh’s EU Referendum by numbers

Edinburgh is split into five constituencies: East, North & Leith, South, South West and West.

There are 145 polling places encompassing 306 polling stations for the EU Referendum.

There will be 282,400 ballot papers spread over the polling stations.

We will use approximately 1300 ballot pencils attached to approx ¾ miles of across the polling stations.

650 people are employed as polling staff on the day with a further 550 working at the count on Thursday night

There will be 45 vans out on the roads collecting ballot boxes after the close of poll on Thursday night.