Accessible voting

Most of the processes for electors to register to vote and cast their vote are prescribed in law. 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.

Existing adjustments and provisions to improve access

Standard adjustments are already in place. However, the specific needs of each individual will vary and additional adjustments may be possible. 

If you believe that there are other adjustments that would assist you to either register to vote or cast your vote then please contact Electoral Services to discuss with you what is possible.

Some adjustments may take time to arrange, so we suggest that you contact us as soon as possible by email: electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk or call our helpline on 0300 373 0595.

Wheelchair access to polling stations

• All polling stations are wheelchair accessible and temporary ramps are provided if 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.

Voting aids for visually impaired or blind voters

Tactile devices are available at all polling stations to help blind electors to 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.
• Extra lighting is provided in a polling booth in each polling station.

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 of the polling station on the day of election.

Help from polling station Presiding Officer

If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, the Presiding Officer of the polling station can help you vote. Presiding Officers are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy, and you can be confident your vote will remain secret.

The Presiding Officer and the Poll Clerks are also available to answer any questions about the voting process so that voters are confident that they are completing their ballot paper correctly.

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.

Apply for a postal vote.

If you are not able to sign or provide a consistent signature on your application and the 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 Electoral Services. 

The law requires postal voters to provide their date of birth when they apply and when they vote as part of the verification process and it is not possible to wave this requirement.

Voting by proxy

Voting by proxy means nominating someone you trust to vote on your behalf. Voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote, where you can nominate a named other person to receive and mark your ballot paper on your behalf.

Apply to vote by proxy

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.