Accessibility at the Polling Station

The voting process should be accessible to all voters. We offer a range of support for voters with disabilities to enable them to vote independently or with assistance.

Some of the ways we do this is:

Polling stations are wheelchair accessible, and ramps are provided where needed
Adapted level polling booth for wheelchair users
Large print versions of ballot papers to view
Tactile Voting Device, to enable blind voters to mark their ballot papers independently
Ballot Paper Magnifier, to enable an elector to magnify any part of the ballot paper
Pencil grips to attach to pens or pencils when marking the ballot paper
Friendly and helpful polling station staff who will make reasonable adjustments where possible
Providing disabled parking where possible
Adequate lighting in and outside of the station
A Makaton approved guide to voting at a polling station

Whether you are a young person, a person with a disability or a qualifying foreign national. You can find a short video to suit your needs on our How to Vote page.

How to vote videos

Please note that after May 2023, voters will be required to provide photographic ID when voting in a polling station at Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Wales.

Find out more about Voter ID

If you do not want to vote at a polling station, you can vote by post or by proxy. Application forms can be downloaded from our website or by contacting us on 01446 729552.

Download an Application Form

Support in the Polling Station

If you are a voter with a disability 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.

What other people can do:

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

What other people can’t do:

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 Required

Please let the polling station staff know if you require any additional support to be able to exercise your right to vote.

For example, if you require:

Someone to read out the candidates on the ballot paper
To be shown a large print ballot paper
To use the Tactile Voting Device
To use a magnifier
To use a pencil grip
To be able to lip read
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

Report an Accessibility Issue

If you see an accessibility issue at a polling station, please report this to Electoral Services electoralregistration@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or call 01446 729552.