Voting Information for Vision Impaired People in Norfolk

A UK General Election has been called for 4^th July 2024. To ensure that everyone has equal access to the democratic process we have included below some information on the ways that you can vote, important deadlines and voting resources.

For the most accurate and up to date information please contact your local registration office. You can find the details for your local registration office here: https://www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office.

Important Dates

18^th June: Deadline to register to vote
19^th June: Deadline to register to vote by post
26^th June: Deadline to register to vote by proxy
4^th July: Election Day

If you plan on voting in the 4^th July election make sure that you are registered to vote at your current address. You normally only need to register once unless you’ve changed your name, address or nationality. You can confirm if you are currently registered to vote by contacting your local registration office.

If you need to register to vote you can register online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by post by asking your local registration office for a voting registration form.

Voting In Person at a Voting Station

The Elections Act 2022 requires officials who oversee elections to make provisions for disabled people to enable an independent and secret vote. Contact your local registration office as soon as possible to discuss any requirements and request reasonable adjustments.

All polling stations are required to provide (if requested):

A large print copy of the ballot paper for reference
Magnifiers
Additional lighting
Pencil grips
A tactile voting device
Assistance to be guided to the voting booth, read the voting material and to mark your vote if required

You can request someone to accompany you to guide you to and from the polling booth and mark your ballot on your behalf if requested. The person helping you could be one of the polling stations staff or your own companion. Following changes introduced in the Elections Act, your companion can be anyone over 18 with a photo id. Your companion will be required to make a written declaration that you have asked for assistance.

The tactile voting device can help you mark your vote independently. It fits over the ballot paper and has tactile numbered lift up flaps directly over the boxes where you mark your vote. You will need to remember the number of the candidate you wish to vote for, then lift the flap with the same number and mark your cross in the box. Candidates are in alphabetical order and the list can be provided to you by request in audio format ahead of time, by referencing the large print ballot or by having someone read you the options.

Some areas are also able to provide access to a McGonagle Reader voting device on request. These device function in a similar way to the regular tactile voting device however they are also able to audibly read the candidates’ names and election information allowing for more independence when voting. Not all areas currently have access to these decives and the ones that do are very limited, so make sure to contact your Local Registration Officer as soon as possible to request use of the McGonagle Reader.

Postal Voting

If you might struggle to get out to a polling station you can choose to register to vote by post instead. You do not need to give a specific reason to vote by post. You will be sent a ballot paper and can then cast your vote in your own home using your own magnifiers or equipment. You can apply for a postal vote for a single election on a specific date, or for all elections for the next three years. You can apply online or by post.

Voting by Proxy

You can also choose to have someone you trust cast your vote for you. Unlike postal voting, you do need to give a reason when you register for your proxy vote. Explaining you find it difficult to get to the polling station because of your sight loss should be a sufficient reason. You’ll need to register to vote by proxy at least six working days before the election by completing an application form and sending it back to your local electoral registration office. Unless you are registered as blind you will need someone to support your application, such as a GP or social worker. You can call your local authority’s election services to request one of these forms.

Your proxy must be registered to vote and able to vote at the polling station stated on your poll card. If someone is voting for you by proxy they must ensure they bring their own photo ID.