EU referendum: What you need to know

  • Brexit
Proposed ballot paper for the UK's referendum on EU membership Credit: PA

A referendum on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union has been called by the Prime Minister.

Here's what you need to know.

  • When is the referendum?

David Cameron has announced 23 June 2016 as the date of the referendum. MPs will need to confirm this date by a vote in Parliament.

  • What's the question?

The original question when the European Union Referendum Act was first introduced to Parliament was: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?"

  • Yes

  • No

The Electoral Commission recommended this be changed - their suggestion which was accepted by MPs is: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?"

  • Remain a member of the European Union

  • Leave the European Union

  • Who can vote?

Citizens of Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth who are over the age of 18 and who are resident in the UK can vote.

UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years can also vote.

Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election.

Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote.

  • How do you vote?

Voters need to be registered on the electoral register to be eligible to vote in a referendum.

Once registered, you can vote on the day at an official polling station, between 7am and 10pm.

Voters can also cast their ballot by post, if they are unable to attend a polling station on the day.

  • Who are the official Remain and Leave campaigns?

The official Remain and Leave campaigns are decided by the Electoral Commission after the various groups have applied for the designation.

These have not yet been announced by the Electoral Commission, but are expected to be decided in the next few weeks.

The Remain group is expected to be Britain Stronger In Europe.

More complicated is the situation around the Leave campaign groups. Infighting between what were the two main groups Vote Leave and Leave.EU has led to the emergence of Grassroots Out.

  • What are the rules on campaigning?

The Electoral Commission has strict campaigning rules around the referendum, with spending limits for different types of groups.