The majority of processes for people to register to vote and to cast their vote at elections are prescribed in law. However, the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for electors with disabilities in order to remove barriers to voting.
Asking for a reasonable adjustment
Every voter should have the right to vote independently and in secret. However, we know that disabled people face barriers to voting.
Under the Elections Act 2022, individuals have the right to request a reasonable adjustment at a polling station in advance of an election.
You can request a reasonable adjustment via our contact form or by phoning our helpline on 020 7926 2254. Please do this as soon as possible before elections take place to enable sufficient time for your request to be considered.
Existing adjustments and support for people with disabilities at polling stations
Wheelchair access
All polling stations are wheelchair accessible and temporary ramps are provided where needed. Some polling stations may have an alternative step-free access route and this will be clearly signposted.
Every polling station has a low-level polling booth. It's suitable for most wheelchair users and people of short stature.
Pencil grips
Specially designed pencil grips are available at every polling station to assist electors who may struggle to hold and use pencils.
Help from a companion
If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, you can bring someone with you to the polling station to help you to mark your ballot paper.
Your companion must be over 18 years old on the day of election and must complete a companion declaration form to state they have recorded your vote truly and faithfully. Companion declaration forms can be obtained from the Presiding Officer at the polling station on the day of election.
Help from the polling station Presiding Officer
If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, the Presiding Officer at the polling station can help you to vote. Presiding Officers are legally bound by the requirement of secrecy, and you can be confident your vote will remain secret.
The Presiding Officer and the Poll Clerks can also answer any questions about the voting process so that voters are confident they are completing their ballot paper correctly.
Voting aids for visually impaired or blind voters
- Tactile devices are available at all polling stations to help blind electors mark their ballot paper in secret. The device is fixed to the ballot paper. Each candidate is numbered on the tactile device with the first candidate on the ballot paper numbered 1. The numbers are embossed in braille on the device so the elector can identify the candidate(s) of their choice by touch. Next to each number is a flap that can be opened. This is positioned directly above the box in which the vote is cast for the candidate.
- The list of candidates on the ballot paper is read out to the elector. When the elector is told the number(s) of the candidate(s) they wish to vote for, they can find the number on the device, open the respective flap and vote for the candidate(s) of their choice. The device is then removed, and the ballot placed in the ballot box.
- Large print versions of ballot papers are available in every polling station, these can be used as a reference. By law, you must cast your vote on a standard sized ballot paper.
- Text to speech apps. Voters with disabilities are welcome to use text-to-speech apps or other assistive equipment as required to read documents to help them to mark their ballot paper.
- Magnifying glasses are available at all polling stations.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals are welcome inside polling stations.
Other ways of voting
If you are unable, or do not want to go to the polling station, you can vote by post or proxy.
Voting by post
Voting by post means we will send you a posting voting pack so you can complete your ballot paper at home and return it in the post when elections take place. You will not need to attend a polling station on the day of election.
If you cannot provide a consistent signature on your application and postal voting statement, which you must complete as part of your postal vote, you can apply for a waiver so your signature is not required. You can do this as part of your online application to vote by post or separately by contacting the voting and elections team.
The law requires postal voters to provide their date of birth when they apply and when they vote as part of the verification process. It is not possible to waive this requirement.
Voting by proxy
Voting by proxy means nominating someone you trust to vote on your behalf. Voters with a disability can apply for a permanent proxy vote. This means you will nominate a named other person to receive and mark your ballot paper on your behalf.
Further resources on accessibility
My Vote My Voice is a campaign to support voting for people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have created a step-by-step guide to voting.
GOV.UK have created an easy read guide on applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.