Election 2017: You can still vote if you're in the queue at a polling station at 10pm
Even if you're outside, you can still vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Voters can still cast their ballot so long as they are in the queue when polls closed.
Polling stations have been open since 7am, and will officially shut at 10pm. But so long as people are waiting outside then they'll be able to cast their ballot.
Those queueing in the polls are being urged to ensure that they are just waiting outside of their polling station – rather than necessarily having cast their vote – if they want to take part in the election.
There has in the past been some confusion about when the last time anyone can vote is. But the Electoral Commission is clear: anyone who is waiting to vote at 10pm must be allowed to, no matter how late after 10pm they actually end up casting their vote.
Queues at polling stations are rare, and if they exist aren't very long. But there have been famous instances of people queueing for a long time when there are problems at polling stations or other delays.
"Polling must close at 10pm, but any eligible electors who at 10 pm are in their polling station, or in a queue outside their polling station for the purposes of voting must be allowed to vote," the Electoral Commission's handbook reads.
"If a person is in the polling station or in a queue outside the polling station by 10pm for the purposes of returning a postal vote, they may do so after 10pm."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments