Accessible voting in the general election

Voting at the polling station

Returning Officers are responsible for the smooth running of the election in a local area. Under the Equality Act 2010, they have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to remove any significant barriers disabled people may face when voting.

The Elections Act 2022 updated the rules to provide provisions to support blind, partially sighted and other disabled voters at polling stations. 

The Electoral Commission says that disabled voters should be supported at polling stations with:

• appropriate lighting  
• badges identifying polling station staff  
• chairs/seating  
• magnifiers 
• pencil grips  
• polling booth at wheelchair level 
• ramps (for buildings with steps) 
• tactile voting device  
• temporary alerters or temporary doorbells for any doors that are required to remain shut during the day (for example, fire doors) 

Support marking your ballot 

If your MS makes it difficult to mark your ballot paper on your own, you can bring someone with you to the polling station to help. Your companion must be over 18 years old and must complete a companion declaration form. You can ask for this form at the polling station on the day of the election. 

Postal voting 

If it’s difficult to get to the polling station, you can vote by post. You don’t need to give a reason to vote by post. Lots of people chose to vote by post.  You might be away from home or may be unable to get to the polling station on the day of the election. However, you must apply in advance. 

Voting by post in England, Scotland and Wales 

You must be registered to vote in the UK before you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday 18 June at 11.59pm.  

You must apply for a postal vote by 5pm, Wednesday 19 June. 

You can find out more information and apply for a postal vote here.  

Voting by post in Northern Ireland 

If you’re in Northern Ireland, there’s a separate process for applying for a postal vote. This has an earlier deadline of 5pm, Friday 14 June. 

Proxy voting 

You can also vote by proxy. This means that you authorise someone to go to your polling station and vote on your behalf, if you are unable to do so. 

Voting by proxy in England, Scotland and Wales 

Residents in England, Scotland and Wales can apply to vote by proxy on the government website here.   

You must apply for a proxy vote by 5pm, Wednesday 26 June. 

Voting by proxy in Northern Ireland 

If you are in Northern Ireland, there is a separate process for applying for a proxy vote. This has an earlier deadline of 5pm, Friday 14 June. You can find out more information and apply here.   

Emergency proxy vote

If you miss this deadline, you might be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote. You can apply up until 5pm on election day in England, Scotland and Wales. But in Northern Ireland you must apply for an emergency proxy at least 6 days before the election. The government’s website has more information about emergency proxy voting.