Tell us what you need at polling stations

Every voter should have the right to vote for themselves and in secret. In Islington, the Returning Officer will make reasonable adjustments so that voters with disabilities can vote without any barriers.

Ask for a reasonable adjustment at a polling station

You have the right to ask for a reasonable adjustment at a polling station before an election, under the Elections Act 2022.

Fill in our contact form or phone 020 7527 3110. Do this as soon as you can before the election to give us enough time to see what we can do about your request.

Ask for an adjustment

Adjustments we can make at polling stations

Wheelchair access

All polling stations are wheelchair accessible and we can set up ramps if needed. If a polling station has a step-free access route, we will make sure there are clear signs so its easy to find.

Every polling station has a low-level polling booth suitable for most wheelchair users.

Help with your ballot paper

If you have a disability that means you can't mark your ballot paper on your own, you can bring someone with you or the Presiding Officer at the polling station can help.

Bring someone with you

If you bring someone with you to help mark your ballot paper, they must:

• be over 18 years old on the day of the election
• fill in a declaration form to say they have recorded your vote truly and faithfully

The Presiding Officer at the polling station can give you a companion declaration form on the day.

Help from the Presiding Officer

Presiding Officers can help you to vote and must keep your vote secret by law. If you need their help, ask a member of staff and the Presiding Officer will complete a declaration form recording this. 

Pencil grips

Pencil grips are for people who find it hard to hold or use pencils. You can ask for one at any polling station.

Help for visually impaired or blind voters

Some of the help we can give visually impaired and blind voters at polling stations can take time for us to prepare before you can vote.

Tactile voting devices

You can ask for one of these at any polling stations and we will explain how they work.

The device makes each of the candidate's number readable in braille with a flap you open for the one you choose.

Large print ballot papers

You can ask for a large print ballot at every every polling station to help you read what's on the standard-size ballot paper. You must mark the standard-sized paper for your vote to be counted by law.

Reading out loud

We have a device that can read the list of candidates on the ballot paper out loud. When you have lifted the flap next to your chosen candidate, we remove the device and put the marked ballot in the box. 

Audio ballot papers

Scan a QR code on your mobile phone and it will read a list of candidates to you in the order they are on the ballot paper. 

Text-to-speech apps

You can use text-to-speech apps to read documents and help you to mark your ballot paper. Let polling station staff know if you will be using an app to do this. 

Magnifying glasses

We have magnifying glasses at all polling stations.

Colour overlays

We have different colour overlays at all polling stations. Place these over the ballot paper to make it easier to read the text. 

Other ways of voting

If you can't or don't want to go to the polling station, you can vote by

• sending your vote to us in the post (postal voting)
• choosing someone you trust to vote for you (proxy voting)