Accessible voting

Everyone deserves the opportunity to take part in the voting process independently and confidently. Whether you're completing an application or casting your vote, this page outlines the accessible options available and how to request reasonable adjustments.

Support at the polling station

The following support will be available at all polling stations to assist with voting in person:

• Notices inside and outside the polling station with instructions on how to vote
• A notice in each polling booth with information on how to mark the ballot paper
• Lower-level polling booths
• A tactile voting device with braille and large raised numbers that can be temporarily attached to the ballot paper
• Large print ballot papers for reference
• Braille sample copy of the ballot paper
• Handheld magnifiers
• Wider-barrel pencils and pencil grips (you can bring your own pen or pencil if preferred)
• Chairs
• Audio ballot paper access via QR codes
• Polling staff (Presiding Officer and Poll Clerks) wearing identification badges, available to help

Request support

You have the right to request a reasonable adjustment to help you vote.

If the assistance you require is not listed on this page, get in touch.

Other support

Further support will also be provided, depending on particular polling stations' facilities:

• Ramps if there is no existing level access. If the step-free entrance is separate from the main entrance, it will be clearly signposted
• Additional lighting is provided at certain locations where existing lighting is not sufficient
• Reserved parking spaces will be provided where possible
• Where available, there will be an area to have your photo ID checked in private

What you may bring

To help you at the polling station:

• You may bring anyone aged 18 or over to assist you. They’ll need to sign a form if they go to the polling booth with you
• Assistance animals are welcome
• You can take your own devices to the polling booth, such as a video magnifier or a text-to-speech app on your phone

Busy and quiet periods

There are no designated quiet times in polling stations. However, there are peak times where polling stations tend to be busier. For example, before work or school, during lunch breaks, after school pick up, and after work. The peak times tend to be between:

• 7am and 9am
• 12 and 2pm
• 3.30pm and 6pm

Registering to vote

You can register to vote by phone, post, online or in person.

The application process will ask for a National Insurance number. If you don’t have a National Insurance number, you can provide evidence of your identity in person, by post, by email or via our web form.

If you don’t have suitable evidence, you can submit an attestation. Contact us for further information.

• Download the register to vote easy read application form
• Easy read register to vote information from My Vote My Voice

Applying for a postal or proxy vote

If you would like your ballot paper sent to you in advance via the post, you can apply for a postal vote.

If you would like someone to vote on your behalf, you can apply for a proxy vote.

You can apply for a postal or proxy vote online, by post or in person.

For security reasons you are asked to provide a signature and your date of birth when applying. If you’re unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature, contact us to request a signature waiver application form.

• View easy read information about how to vote by post, produced by My Vote My Voice
• Download GOV.UK's apply for a postal vote easy read guide
• View easy read information about how to vote by proxy, produced by My Vote My Voice
• Download GOV.UK's apply for a proxy vote easy read guide

Applying for a Voter Authority Certificate

To vote in a polling station you are now required to show photo ID.

If you do not have any suitable photo ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online, by post or in person.

• Download the Voter Authority Certificate easy read guide

Before polling day

Candidate names will be on our website (statement of persons nominated). Audio versions of ballot papers will also be on our website.

You can contact us if you would like documents in large print.

If we have your email address on file, an e-poll card will be sent to you before the physical poll cards are posted out.

Completing your postal vote

Need help completing your postal vote? You can ask someone you trust or contact Electoral Services. We can provide support over the phone, by email or you can visit us in person.

For in-person help on polling day, you can visit Wandsworth Town Hall or any polling station in the borough (open from 7am to 10pm).

You can find information about postal voting from the Electoral Commission. 

Politics and voting overview

My Vote My Voice has produced easy read guides about politics and the different voting options:

• View easy read information about how politics works
• View easy read information about how to vote in an election

Contact Electoral Services

You are welcome to contact us with any questions, or to share ideas and provide feedback.