It’s your vote, don’t lose it says Electoral Commission

Voters at the referendum are being reminded to make sure they know what they need to do to make sure their vote counts. The Electoral Commission is reminding voters that to cast their vote they must:

• Show their choice by putting a cross (‘X’) in the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ box on their ballot paper.
• Make sure they know where their polling place is located and get there between 7am and 10pm on polling day.
• Make sure that their postal votes or proxy votes (where someone has appointed a person they trust to cast their vote on their behalf) are received by the local Counting Officer by 10pm on polling day in order for it to count.

Andy O’Neill, Head of Scotland Office at the Electoral Commission, said: "We know a lot of people will be voting for the first time on Thursday and we want no one to miss out. It’s easy to vote. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. Make sure you know where your polling station is and when you get there place an ‘X’ on your ballot paper. You don’t need a poll card to be able to cast your vote, but if you have it, do bring it as it will speed up the process inside the polling place."

All of this information, and more, can be found in the Electoral Commission’s voting guide, which can still be viewed at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. In addition, the Commission’s helpline, which is on 0800 3 280 280, will be available throughout polling day to help voters with any queries about the voting process.

Since launching its voter information campaign on 11 August, the Commission’s helpline has already handled over 13,000 enquiries from members of the public - the highest ever for a campaign in Scotland. The majority have been requests for registration and postal vote forms.

Over 400 calls have been about the voting process at polling stations and the Electoral Commission is encouraging anyone not sure about what to expect at the polling station or how to mark their ballot paper to read its impartial voting guide or call its helpline.

Andy O’Neill continued: "Anyone with any questions shouldn’t hesitate to give us a call on 0800 3 280 280 or read our voting guide at aboutmyvote. First time voters unsure of what to expect on Thursday can also see a virtual ‘polling station walk through’ on our website. It’s your vote, make sure you don’t lost it."