All voters have the right to vote independently and secretly. We offer a range of support in our polling stations to ensure that all voters can cast their vote independently or with assistance.
Voting at a polling station
Our polling stations have:
- ramps where required
- adapted polling booths suitable for wheelchair users
- large print ballot paper(s) available to take into the polling booth
- tactile voting devices to assist blind and partially-sighted voters in marking the ballot paper independently
- grips to attach to the ballot pencil to assist when marking the ballot paper
- magnifiers for reading notices or marking the ballot paper
- friendly and helpful polling station staff to provide support and assistance
Using your own aids
You can use your own aids to help you read or mark a ballot paper. For example, a text-to-speech smartphone app, a torch or a magnifier.
However, you must not take any photos inside the polling station.
You need to inform our polling station staff you're using your own aid.
Personal assistance
Voters with disabilities can choose anyone who is over 18 to accompany them in the polling station to help them vote.
You need to tell polling station staff if you would like a companion to assist you. Your companion will need to complete a declaration form.
Voters with disabilities can also ask the Presiding Officer to help them complete their ballot paper. The Presiding Officer must keep your vote secret.
Someone can assist you by:
- helping you move around the polling station
- reading out the candidates’ names and parties on the ballot paper in order
- explaining the voting options to you
- using their knowledge of your communication methods to understand who you want to vote for
- accompanying you into the polling booth
- marking the ballot paper with your decision if you permit them to do so
They cannot:
- make your voting decision for you
- mark the ballot paper against your wishes
- stop you from voting because you have a disability or require additional support
Wheelchair access
All our polling stations are wheelchair accessible. The ramped access may not always be through the main door, but it will be clearly signposted from the street. If you have difficultly accessing the polling station, the Presiding Officer is available to assist you.
Each polling station has a low-level polling booth designed for wheelchair users.
Voting aids for visually impaired or blind voters
Large print copies of the ballot paper(s) are displayed in every polling station and can be taken into the polling booth. These can only be used as a reference, as the vote must be cast on a standard print ballot paper.
Tactile voting devices can be attached to the ballot paper. It has numbered flaps that cover each candidate or option on the ballot paper. The numbers are embossed in black and include braille markings. Presiding Officers can assist voters with this if required.
Quieter times to vote in person
There are no designated quiet times in polling stations. However, there are peak times when polling stations tend to be busier. For example, before work or school, during lunch breaks, after school pickup and after work.
The peak times tend to be between:
- 7am and 9am
- 12 noon and 2pm
- 3.30pm and 6pm
Other ways of voting
If you prefer, you can vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Voters with a disability can apply for a permanent proxy vote.
Guidance for voters with a learning disability and autistic voters
The 'My Vote My Voice' campaign supports voting for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Their website provides a quick guide to voting:
Report an accessibility issue
If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions on making voting more accessible, please contact us:
- by email: elections@hounslow.gov.uk
- by phone: 020 8583 2828
