How will they count the votes?

[TheoriginalLEM]

Will it just be a straight count?

I think its going to be close but how cose is too close?

One vote?

[RedToothBrush]

Yep just a straight count. I think most places are doing it over night like at general elections (local elections tend not to be these days as people are more likely to make mistakes at late night counts)

Both sides can observe the count at each sight.

Since it is a straight yes / no in theory it SHOULD mean there are quicker declarations.

I do expect challenges to happen though for the most part areas tend to be either Brexit or Remain, with the split tending to be more regionalised.

I think challenges are more likely the next day if its very close.

[BestIsWest]

Sorry, how can there be regional declarations if it is a straight count?

Is it the total remain/ leaves across the country or by region?

[BestIsWest]

Ok, I get it now. Regional counts then collating the totals.

[TheoriginalLEM]

so is it based on different regions? or just all the voters as one? sorry being a bit thick

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I wasn't expecting it to be like the general election where constituencies are declaring as soon as the results come in. Is that what will happen?

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

Is there a possibility that it could be too close to call?

[BestIsWest]

Votes will be counted by hand starting as soon as polls close at 2100 GMT.

Each of 382 local counting areas will tally the number of ballot papers cast and announce local turnout figures (including spoiled ballots and postal votes) in each of the areas. The Electoral Commission watchdog has estimated that most turnout announcements at counting-area level will come between 2230 on June 23 and 0130 on June 24. The last turnout figure is expected at around 0400.

Then each area will count the votes and announce totals for REMAIN and LEAVE in each of the 382 areas. The majority of counting areas are expected to declare between around 0100 and 0300 on June 24. The last declaration is expected around 0600.

These local totals will be collated into totals for 12 regions, and then a final, national, result. The final result will be announced in Manchester by Jenny Watson, who is the Chief Counting Officer.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Thanks BestIsWest very informative.

[RedToothBrush]

Just to point out the times in that are in GMT.

Don't forget to add the extra hour for being in BST or you'll get very confused on the day if you read this thread!

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

We start as soon as the polls close (10pm), unlike the general election where we didn't start until the last box for the constituency was received. This means postal votes will be counted first I suppose.

Then we will verify numbers of votes in the box are the expected numbers from the paperwork filled in at the polling station. When that's all done and agreed, we will sort the votes into Leave and Remain and spoilt ballots. Finally we will count the numbers of each. Then the constituency will pass on these figures. I expect these will also be available to the public, so you will be able to see how your area voted.

Also, importantly, the final result is the total of all individual votes. It is not the total of areas. This is different to the general election.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Thanks - does anyone know if there is a minimum one side has to win by?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

No minimum. By one vote.

[TheoriginalLEM]

fuck!!

[RedToothBrush]

Its a straight 50% to win.

Every vote counts. In theory one vote could be the difference and decide what happens.

[TheoriginalLEM]

What do you huys think the turn out will be? lots of folk i know not mentioned voting

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I think higher than a ge, but not as high as it should be. Some people aren't interested

[RedToothBrush]

I think a lot of people have been turned off by the campaign lies and don't see that the result will affect them. So there will be a lot of voter apathy still. However, apparently a lot of Leave voters are people who normally are unlikely to vote so turnout out could be higher than normal for elections.

So yes higher than a General Election but not as many people engaging on such an important decision as there should be. I do think that both sides have failed the public in this respect in distorting the truth.

[BestIsWest]

Yes sorry, the times are wrong as Red pointed out. It was a C&p.
Polls don't close until 22:00.

[OhtoblazeswithElvira]

by one vote