Accessibility at polling stations ahead of vote

The Elections Act 2022 introduces changes to further assist disabled voters at polling stations.

Disabled voters will be able to choose anyone who is over 18 to accompany them in the polling station to help them to vote.

They can also ask the person in charge of the polling station, known as the Presiding Officer (PO) to offer additional assistance to allow them to complete their ballot paper. The PO is legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy and the person's vote will remain secret.

Returning Officer Paul Manning said: "Everyone should be able to register and cast their vote without facing barriers.

"They should be able to vote independently and in secret.

"We will also take all reasonable steps to support voters with disabilities to improve the range and quality of support."

The Returning Officer also allows voters with disabilities to use any text-to-speech apps, torch or magnifier that they have on their phone, to assist them in reading their ballot paper.

Audio ballot papers will also be available for this election, which have been developed in collaboration with RNIB Scotland and other sight loss charities, which will provide further support for blind and partially sighted voters.

It will allow them to hear the names of the candidates on the ballot paper and their position on the ballot paper. Further information about this new feature will be published on our website.

Ballot papers cannot be printed in languages other than English. However, there are guidance notes in other languages. These will be available in the polling station.

Registration and postal voting leaflets are available to order in a number of different languages from the Electoral Commission website.

Full details about accessibility at elections can be found on the council website.