FAQ - Local Elections

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Is there any support for disabled voters?

All polling stations within Mid Bedfordshire are accessible by electors with mobility problems. In addition staff at polling stations are required to assist any electors who, for whatever reason, require assistance. Staff at polling stations are covered by a requirement of secrecy so that they may not provide any information as to the way they voted on behalf of any elector.

Any person with a disability may be accompanied by a 'companion' who may assist the elector to vote (previously this facility was only available to blind persons). Alternatively the elector may ask the Presiding Officer to mark the ballot paper for them.

Changes in the law have been made to make voting easier for people with visual disabilities.

An innovative option for blind and partially sighted persons is that each polling station is provided with a 'device' which can be fitted over the ballot paper. This contains, in braille, a number for each candidate which allows the elector to mark the paper unaided and in secret.

Finally, for those with impaired vision, each polling station will display a large print version of each ballot paper.