Polling station accessibility

Support for disabled and clinically vulnerable voters

The voting process should be accessible to all voters and we offer a range of support for disabled and clinically vulnerable voters to enable them to vote independently or with assistance.

To help make polling stations accessible to disabled voters we provide:

  • ramps where needed so polling stations are wheelchair accessible
  • adapted level polling booth for wheelchair users
  • large print versions of ballot papers to view
  • pencil grips to attach to pens or pencils when marking the ballot paper
  • magnifiers to use when reading guidance or marking the ballot paper
  • Tactile Voting Device, to enable blind and partially sighted people to mark their ballot papers independently
  • training for polling station staff on how to assist people with visual impairments and blind people
  • “Here to help” lanyard for staff to wear to identify themselves to voters
  • friendly and helpful polling station staff who will make reasonable adjustments where possible
  • face masks can be worn by staff when carrying out ID checks for immunosuppressed voters
  • keeping windows and doors open if possible
  • ID checks can be carried out outside the polling station in the fresh air for voters who are clinically vulnerable
  • mobiles phones may be used to access an app for visual or hearing disabilities, but photography is not permitted. 

You will be required to provide photo ID when voting in a polling station.

If you do not want to vote at a polling station, you can vote by post or by proxy.

Support in a polling station

If you are a disabled voter or require additional support to complete a ballot paper on your own, you can take a friend or relative to the polling station to help you. Our polling station staff will also be available to help you.

You can ask someone to:

  • 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

Someone else cannot:

  • 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

If you would like additional support to be able to exercise your right to vote, please let the polling station staff know. For example, if you need:

  • someone to read out the candidates on the ballot paper
  • to be shown a large print ballot paper
  • to use the Tactile Voting Device
  • someone to help mark the ballot paper with your decision, either someone who has accompanied you or the polling station staff
  • to be assisted in moving around the polling station

If you would like to make a request before polling day for additional equipment or support in your polling station, please email [email protected] or call 023 8068 8000.

Voter ID and clinically vulnerable voters

The Electoral Commission’s information about checking photo ID if a voter is wearing a face covering states: “If you wear a face covering for any reason, such as a mask worn for medical reasons or a face veil worn on religious grounds, you will be asked to momentarily remove it so polling station staff can check your photo ID looks like you. Face coverings can be worn for the rest of the voting process."

We recognise that clinically vulnerable voters, and their family members, may be reluctant to remove a face covering in polling stations for health reasons, so to accommodate electors who have safety concerns about temporarily removing a face covering, we will:

  • Offer to check your photo ID outside the polling place
    (you will be asked to pop your face covering down to your chin momentarily).
  • Open doors and, where possible, windows to increase air-flow
  • Have face masks available for polling station staff to wear

Report an accessibility issue

If you find an accessibility issue at a polling station, please email [email protected].

Guide for voters with a learning disability

Mencap have produced a series of easy ready guides covering registering to vote and the different ways you can take part in voting.

The Electoral Commission have also produced resources which offer assistance to a range of different groups who may experience barriers.