We have a range of support and resources available to help people vote in elections and referendums in Medway.
Support for the sight impaired
The Electoral Commission (EC) have published videos in British Sign Language (BSL) about:
Polling station accessibility
Polling stations should all be accessible. To help you vote, we provide:
- a ramp to help with access to the station
- one voting compartment with a lower writing desk
- large print copies of ballot papers
- a Tactile Voting Device (TVD) to help those with sight problems vote unaided
- a credit card sized magnifier
- spare chairs
- pen and pencil grips
- pen and paper to ask questions.
The ballot box will be at a lower height so all voters can put in their ballot paper unaided.
Voters can use mobile phone apps for magnification or as audio readers.
The presiding officer can either help place a vote on the voter's behalf or assist a voter.
A voter can bring a companion to help them.
Any companions who help someone to vote will be asked to sign a declaration so there is a formal record.
Voter support guides
Several organisations have published guides on voting which you may find useful:
- United Response Easy Read guide to voting in local elections
- Electoral Commission Voter Booklet in Easy Read for people with learning disabilities
My Vote My Voice
My Vote My Voice is a campaign to encourage people with learning disabilities and autism to vote.
Their website contains support and information about:
- registering to vote
- how to vote
- what your vote does
- your rights to vote.
Visit the My Vote my Voice website.
Voter ID
The Electoral commission has published some support guide videos about Voter ID.