Access for voters
Everyone should be able to cast their vote without facing barriers. They should be able to vote on their own and in secret.
We will take all reasonable steps to support voters with disabilities to improve the range and quality of support.
Polling Station Voting
Disabled voters can choose anyone who is over 18 to accompany them in the polling station to help them vote, they will need to fill in a short form to log that they helped you. You can also ask the person in charge of the polling station, known as the Presiding Officer, to help you fill in your ballot paper. They are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and your vote will remain secret.
If you feel nervous about attending your polling station, please don’t worry. The staff are there to help and support all voters. If you want to go when the polling station is quieter, we recommend you attend during times that are less busy (e.g. mid-morning or early afternoon).
Accessibility
Equipment available in the polling station includes:
- Polling booths adapted for wheelchair users
- Polling station entrances will be well signposted
- Where buildings aren’t accessible, we provide ramps on election day
- Seating
- Pencil grips
- Long easy grip pencils
- Magnifying glass
- Tactile Voting Device
- Large handheld ballot paper
- Notices in large print, with pictorial guidance on the voting process and how to vote
- Audio ballot papers – you will be able to scan a QR code and the ballot paper will be read to you
- Coloured overlays/filters
- Fully trained staff, wearing badges who can give you support where needed
- McGonagle Reader – can be brought to the polling station on request
Voters with vision impairments
A large print version of the ballot paper will be on display inside the polling station, and you can request a large handheld version of the ballot paper too. You can use the large print copy to read all the information on the ballot paper, but you must still cast your vote on a standard print ballot paper.
You can also request a magnifying glass to read the standard ballot paper that you must complete - just ask a member of staff.
You will be able to access an audio version of the ballot paper in each polling station. You will need a device to scan the QR code that will be inside the polling station. You will then be taken to a web page that will read the ballot paper for you. If you need to you can use this with the tactile voting template which is available in each polling station. The staff will provide guidance on how to use the device.
Support for neurodiverse voters and people with learning disabilities
Specific support is available for neurodiverse voters, people with learning disabilities or anyone who might want to use the resources below, provided by the My Vote, My Voice campaign:
- Social story about voter ID and applying for a voter authority certificate
- Social story about how to vote in person
- Voting Passport - which you can use to tell us what support you need at the polling station
Further information
If you don't want to go to the polling station to vote, please remember that all voters are entitled to apply to vote by post or proxy for each election. Voters with long-term disabilities are also allowed to apply for long-term proxy votes.
A postal vote - If you have registered to vote by post you will be sent your ballot paper. You can cast your vote in your own home rather than going to your polling station.
A proxy - where you can appoint someone you trust to go to your polling station to vote on your behalf.
Please contact us to check if you have a postal or proxy vote in place. You can apply to vote by post here https://www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote .
You can apply for certain proxy votes here Apply for a proxy vote - GOV.UK or you can download a disability proxy application form here Application to vote by proxy in England based on disability .
If you need assistance completing a form we have sent you, please contact us using the details below to arrange any extra support you may need.
If you need a form in another language, please contact us.
We continue to review and improve the voting experience for voters who have disabilities. If there is more we can do, for example additional equipment we could provide, then please let us know by contacting us.
Electoral Services Office contact details:
Post:
Electoral Services Office
Tamworth Borough Council
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
B79 7BZ
Email: elections@tamworth.gov.uk
Phone: 01827 214155 (office hours only)