Contractors, off to vote? Know before you go:

The EU referendum takes place today, Thursday June 23^rd 2016, across the UK.

What is happening?

Today is your chance to vote in a referendum on whether the UK should remain in the EU or leave the EU. You will be able to answer the referendum question: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?

Who can vote?

British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or over who are resident in the UK (or Gibraltar) will be eligible to vote. UK citizens resident overseas will also be eligible to vote, provided they have been registered to vote at a UK address in the last 15 years.

Where do I vote?

A poll card identifying where your polling station is located should have been sent in the post to you before today’s vote. You don't need to take your poll card with you in order to vote.

If you have lost your poll card, you can still find out where to vote by contacting your local election office. You can also run the widget on the Remain campaign website to reveal the location of your local polling station. Alternatively, you can contact your local authority to find out where your local polling station is. Polling stations are open today from 0700 until 22.00.

How do I vote?

At the polling station, you will see people sitting at a desk with a copy of the electoral register. Give them your polling card or just tell them your name and address and they'll check it against the list.

You will then receive a ballot paper. You then signal your voting decision by putting a cross (X) in the ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ box or ‘Leave the European Union’ box on the ballot paper. Only put one cross in only one box, or your vote may not be counted.

When's the result?

The outcome of the referendum does not have a fixed time, but it is likely to be known by “around breakfast time” on Friday (June 24^th), the Electoral Commission has said.

Editor’s Note: Related Reading –

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IT contractors won’t defy Cameron on Europe

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Brexit: the pros and cons for IT contractors

Contractors’ Questions: How might Brexit affect me as a contractor?

Contractors’ Questions: Will IT contracting ‘go Swiss’ in a Brexit?

How a Brexit could change EU contracting

Contractors favour UK staying in EU