Polling station accessibility
The voting process should be accessible to all voters. We offer a range of support for disabled voters to enable them to vote independently or with assistance.
To help make polling stations accessible 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 based on guidance from the Electoral Commission on how to assist people with visual impairments and blind people
- friendly and helpful polling station staff who will make reasonable adjustments where possible
Support in the 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 able 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
Please let the polling station staff know if you need any additional support to be able to exercise your right to vote.
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
Related content
Voter ID – Find out what identification you need to vote in person at polling stations on election day.
Ways to vote – Find out about voting in person, by post, by proxy and which is your polling station
Get on the electoral register – You can register or check if you’re registered on the electoral register as a resident, member of the armed forces, Crown servant, overseas resident or a resident with no fixed address
Contact details
Elections, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HU
Elections team contact form – external site
Telephone: 01472 324160