East Suffolk Council
Accessible voting
All voters should be able to register and cast their vote without barriers. The Elections Act 2022 introduces changes to assist voters with disabilities at polling stations.
What’s new?
Voters with disabilities will be able to choose anyone who is over 18 to accompany them in the polling station to help them vote. They can also ask the person in charge of the polling station, known as the Presiding Officer, to help them fill in their ballot paper. The Presiding Officer is legally bound by the Requirements for Secrecy and the vote will remain secret.
We will also make all reasonable adjustments to support voters with disabilities to improve the range and quality of support.
At the polling station
Information for voters
To help voters understand the voting process and how to mark their ballot paper, we provide the following information at each polling station:
- A notice inside and outside of the polling station providing instructions on how to vote at the election.
- A notice in each polling station booth providing information on how to mark the ballot paper at the election.
Wheelchair Access
Our polling stations have wheelchair access. The ramped access may not be through the main door, but it will be clearly signposted.
Each polling station has a polling booth suitable for use by wheelchair users.
Voting aids for visually impaired or blind people
- Large print notices – we display a large print copy of the ballot paper(s) in every polling station. These can be used as a reference because the law states that the vote must be cast on a standard print ballot paper.
- Tactile voting device – every polling station has a tactile voting device which can be attached to the ballot paper. It has numbered flaps that cover each candidate or option on the ballot paper. The numbers are embossed in black and include braille markings. To cast a vote, the relevant flap should be lifted to enable the voter to make a mark against the desired candidate or option. The device is then be removed from the paper and the ballot paper can be put into the ballot box.
Support within the polling station
Every polling station will have the following equipment and support in place:
- Chairs/seating for voters who cannot stand for long periods.
- Magnifiers to increase the size of the text on a document.
- Badges which clearly identify polling station staff who can assist.
- Pencil grips to help voters with dexterity impairments
In addition to this, the Returning Officer also allows voters with disabilities to use any text-to-speech apps, torch or magnifier that they have on their phone to assist them with reading their ballot paper. Voters using one of these apps should inform the polling station staff.
Ask for a reasonable adjustment
To request a reasonable adjustment at a polling station in advance of an election you can email elections@eastsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01502 523251, the Returning Officer will consider the request and respond to you.
Other ways of voting
If you do not want to go to the polling station to vote, you can vote by post or proxy. Voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote.