Accessibility at Polling Stations

Everyone should be able to register and cast their vote without facing barriers. They should be able to vote on their own and in secret. The Elections Act 2022 introduces changes to further assist disabled voters at polling stations.

What’s new?

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

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

Accessing the polling station

• polling stations are visited and assessed in advance in terms of accessibility.
• polling stations have level or ramped access available to support access for voters who use a wheelchair or have difficulty using steps
• polling stations have car parking provision so that disabled voters may park as close as possible to the entrance to the polling station.
• service animals/ assistance dogs are permitted.

Information for voters

To help voters understand the voting process and how to mark their ballot paper the following are provided at each polling station:

• A notice inside the polling station providing instructions on how to vote at the election.
• A notice in each polling booth providing information on how to mark the ballot paper at the election.
• Large print sample copies of the ballot paper displayed inside the polling station to assist voters who are partially sighted and also voters who would like some time to look at the ballot paper before entering the polling booth.
• An enlarged hand-held copy of the ballot paper. This can be given to voters who are partially sighted to take into the polling booth for reference when marking their ballot paper.

Support within the polling station

Every polling station will have the following equipment and support in place:

• Chair/seating for voters who cannot stand for long periods
• Magnifiers to increase the size of the text on a document
• Tactile voting device to support those visually impaired to mark their vote on the ballot paper in the correct place.
• Polling booth or a table at wheelchair level to ensure voters who use a wheelchair are able to access a lower writing surface and cast their vote in secret .
• Badges which clearly identify polling station staff who can assist
• Pencil grips to help voters with dexterity impairments to more easily hold and use a pencil independently.
• Additional staff at entrances/exits at larger polling stations.

In addition to the above, 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.

Ways to vote

Voting in person at the polling station is not the only way you can vote. You may also apply to vote by post. Find out different ways to vote

Get in touch

If you wish to know more about the accessibility arrangements at the specific polling place shown on your polling card please email  returning.officer@shetland.gov.uk

Should you wish to feedback on accessibility provision during your visit to a polling station, you can ask the Presiding Officer to pass your comments on to the Returning Officer, or you can email returning.officer@shetland.gov.uk