Voting accessibility and reasonable adjustments

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act defines having a disability as having a physical or mental condition which has a substantial and long-term impact on the ability to do normal day to day activities. A disability can be as a result of a medical condition: for example, someone with arthritis in their hands may have difficulty gripping things without the use of an auxiliary aid. But a disability does not have to be a diagnosed medical condition and can include physical or psychological impairments that can be visible and invisible. For example, if a person experiences depression, they may have difficulty concentrating - as well as physical impairments, such as extreme tiredness.

Ask for a reasonable adjustment

Every voter should have the right to vote independently and in secret.

However, we know that disabled people including blind and partially sighted people face barriers to voting which include:

their voting rights not being communicated in an accessible way
not having the support they need when registering to vote or voting
physical, psychological and information barriers when voting at a polling station
the method of voting - making a cross in a specific location on a piece of paper - being a principally visual exercise

In liaison with local disability forums we take steps to understand and anticipate the needs of disabled voters – with different types of disability, support and access requirements within their area so that we can make informed decisions about how best to meet these needs by making reasonable adjustments, including providing appropriate equipment and support.

Under the Equality Act you have the right to request a reasonable adjustment at a polling station in advance of an election. To do so, kindly email elections@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 0300 123 4000 (option 7) with the reasonable adjustment you require. If you know the polling area you vote in please include this, otherwise we can locate your local polling station with your address. Your request will be considered and you will receive a response from the team as soon as possible.

Travelling to your polling station

You may consider utilising local transport links listed below to plan and get to your polling station.

Suffolk Onboard
Suffolk Taxibus (specific areas of Mid Suffolk only)

Other ways of voting

If you do not want to go to the polling station to vote, you can vote by post or proxy (you select and instruct a trusted friend or relative to vote on your behalf.) Voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote.

Download Proxy vote application form (long term with supporting evidence provided).

Support in the polling station

Voters with disabilities are 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.

What other people can do:

Assist you moving around the polling station.
Read out the candidates’ names and parties on the ballot paper in order.
Explain the voting options to you.
Use their knowledge of your communication methods to understand who you want to vote for.
Come into the polling booth with you.
Mark the ballot paper with your decision if you permit them to do so.

What other people can’t do:

Decide for you on who to vote for.
Mark the ballot paper against your wishes.
Stop you from voting because you have a disability or require additional support.

Additional support required

Please let the polling station staff know if you require any additional support to exercise your right to vote. Polling station staff can be identified by wearing a badge which says either Presiding Officer or Poll Clerk. They are trained to help. For example, if you require:

To be shown a large print version of a ballot paper
To use the Tactile Voting Device
To use the magnifiers to increase the size of text on documents
To use a pencil grip to help with a dexterity impairment
Chair/seating if you cannot stand for long periods
To be able to lip read

Wheelchair access

The polling stations have wheelchair access. The ramped access may not be through the main door, but it will be clearly signposted.

If it is difficult for you to access the polling station, the Presiding Officer can bring a ballot paper(s) out to you. Once you have voted, fold the ballot paper and the Presiding Officer will put it in the ballot box for you.

Each polling station has a low level polling booth suitable for use by wheelchair users.

Voting aids for visually impaired or blind voters

Large print notices – a large print copy of the ballot paper(s) is displayed 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 removed from the paper and the ballot paper can be put into the ballot box.

In addition to this, voters with disabilities are allowed 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.

Guidance for voters with a learning disability

An easy read guide, Voting at a polling station can be found on the Mencap website.