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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/07/surge-in-voter-registrations-expected-before-eu-referendum-deadline
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| Surge in voter registrations expected before EU referendum deadline | Surge in voter registrations expected before EU referendum deadline |
| (3 months later) | |
| Record numbers of people are expected to sign up on Tuesday to vote in the referendum, before a midnight deadline for registrations. | Record numbers of people are expected to sign up on Tuesday to vote in the referendum, before a midnight deadline for registrations. |
| The Electoral Commission says it is prepared for a surge in registrations, particularly from young people, after figures for Monday showed the second biggest day for registrations since the system went online. | The Electoral Commission says it is prepared for a surge in registrations, particularly from young people, after figures for Monday showed the second biggest day for registrations since the system went online. |
| But the commission is warning millions of unregistered voters not to leave it too late as no application will be accepted beyond the deadline. | But the commission is warning millions of unregistered voters not to leave it too late as no application will be accepted beyond the deadline. |
| An estimated 7.5 million people or 15% of electorate had failed to register at the start of the campaign. Since then 1.5 million people have applied to vote, after a registration drive from which the remain campaign stands most to gain. | An estimated 7.5 million people or 15% of electorate had failed to register at the start of the campaign. Since then 1.5 million people have applied to vote, after a registration drive from which the remain campaign stands most to gain. |
| Pollsters point out that young people are twice as likely to vote to remain in the EU, but under-25s are only half as likely to vote as over-65s. | Pollsters point out that young people are twice as likely to vote to remain in the EU, but under-25s are only half as likely to vote as over-65s. |
| On Monday 226,000 people registered, including 150,000 under-35s. That was second only to the last year’s deadline day for the general election, when 469,000 people registered to vote. That record could be beaten on Tuesday, according to the commission. | On Monday 226,000 people registered, including 150,000 under-35s. That was second only to the last year’s deadline day for the general election, when 469,000 people registered to vote. That record could be beaten on Tuesday, according to the commission. |
| Jenny Watson, chief counting officer for the EU referendum, said: “This really is your last chance. If you aren’t already registered to vote, you need to do it by the 7 June deadline or you won’t be able to take part in this historic referendum.” | Jenny Watson, chief counting officer for the EU referendum, said: “This really is your last chance. If you aren’t already registered to vote, you need to do it by the 7 June deadline or you won’t be able to take part in this historic referendum.” |
| Alex Robertson, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, pointed out that more than 20,000 people left it too late to register vote in the general election. | Alex Robertson, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, pointed out that more than 20,000 people left it too late to register vote in the general election. |
| He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If you are listening to this and you aren’t already registered to vote, do it now, do it at lunchtime, do it before you have your dinner, but do not do it at one minute past midnight. If you go to gov.uk/registertovote you will find it very easy, it only takes a few minutes.” | He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “If you are listening to this and you aren’t already registered to vote, do it now, do it at lunchtime, do it before you have your dinner, but do not do it at one minute past midnight. If you go to gov.uk/registertovote you will find it very easy, it only takes a few minutes.” |
| He added: “There are 7.5 million people we think who aren’t registered to vote who should be. A lot of them young, a lot of people who have moved house. It’s about 15% that are missing. Since we started the campaign … we have had 1.5m applications, so we are going to be making some dent in that, but there will still be loads of people out there listening to this and the message is just don’t leave it too late. If it is one minute past midnight it’s no good.” | He added: “There are 7.5 million people we think who aren’t registered to vote who should be. A lot of them young, a lot of people who have moved house. It’s about 15% that are missing. Since we started the campaign … we have had 1.5m applications, so we are going to be making some dent in that, but there will still be loads of people out there listening to this and the message is just don’t leave it too late. If it is one minute past midnight it’s no good.” |
| Senior members of the remain campaign have called for investigation into what they claim is a misleading “register to vote” website set up the leave campaign. They say such “underhand tactics” could result in people being disenfranchised. | Senior members of the remain campaign have called for investigation into what they claim is a misleading “register to vote” website set up the leave campaign. They say such “underhand tactics” could result in people being disenfranchised. |
| Both the leave and the remain campaigners urged the public to register to vote before the deadline. | Both the leave and the remain campaigners urged the public to register to vote before the deadline. |
| Millions of people still haven't registered to vote in the most important vote in a generation. Sign up now: https://t.co/qbhmor4xzf #EURef | Millions of people still haven't registered to vote in the most important vote in a generation. Sign up now: https://t.co/qbhmor4xzf #EURef |
| Don't miss out on your chance to #VoteLeave! You have ONE day left to register: https://t.co/f3oUREfu1A pic.twitter.com/KRNth1sup8 | Don't miss out on your chance to #VoteLeave! You have ONE day left to register: https://t.co/f3oUREfu1A pic.twitter.com/KRNth1sup8 |
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