Accessibility in polling stations

Help for voters with a visual impairment

In the polling station the following will be available:

• large print versions of the ballot paper(s): you can take a copy to the polling booth with you for reference, but you cannot vote on it
• a large magnifier: you can take this to the polling booth with you to help enlarge the print on the ballot paper
• a tactile voting device: the plastic device is fixed on to the ballot paper so visually impaired voters can mark their ballot paper in secret

Please ask the polling station staff if you need access to any of these things.

Help for wheelchair users

Where practicable the polling stations are accessible for wheelchair users. Where there is no wheelchair access, polling station are provided with additional equipment such as ramps and doorbells, which electors can use to alert polling station staff that they need assistance.

All polling stations are provided with a low level voting booth.

Help for voters with a learning disability

Anyone has the legal right to vote in local and general elections and should be supported to do so. Some people may struggle with the registration process, using a polling station or submitting their postal vote.

You are able to choose someone over 18 years old to go with you to the polling station to help you vote. This includes carers who may not be eligible to vote in the election but can still act as a helper. The voter and helper must complete a simple form at the polling station before the ballot paper is issued.

See also:

• Gov.uk: registering to vote easy read guide
• My Vote My Voice offers helpful guides on registering to vote and they ways in which you can vote, such as voting by post.

Support from the Presiding Officer

You can also ask the Presiding Officer to help you vote. The polling station staff are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and your vote will remain secret. If you know which candidate you wish to vote for, you can tell the Presiding Officer in the privacy of the polling booth, and they will mark the ballot paper(s) according to your instructions.