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Voters

I arrived accompanied by both my wife and one of our daughters to vote. We checked in and one of the electoral staff asked (not sure who it was directed to wife or daughter) "Does the gentleman need help in completing the form? "Excuse me I am here" was my response. The electoral officer became agitated when I suggested that either my wife or daughter would assist me if I was unable to cope. This, it appeared, was like a red rag to a bull in that suddenly all sorts of obstacles were thrown up not least the :- "Well I am supposed to help but if a family member helps then there is a lot, a great deal of paper work to complete" He seemed even more perturbed when I responded "fine, get the forms ready as I want some one I know and TRUST to help me not a stranger"
Mike Polls Apart Respondent 2010

Like Mike you can raise awareness by sharing the experiences you have had when trying to vote. You can tell us if your polling station was good or bad by posting a comment here or by sending your story to campaigns@scope.org.uk

Disabled people's voting rights

Local authorities now have to take proactive steps to ensure that polling stations don't disadvantage disabled people. If you think yours isn't up to scratch then complain - it's your democratic right.

What you are entitled to:

• A tactile voting device
• A large print version of the ballot paper (you can't vote on it but there should be a poster in every polling station)
• The right to request assistance or bring someone with you to help you vote
• The right to vote independently and in secret

Disabled people’s voting rights factsheet

More information on voting

Download Electoral Commission guidance:

• Easy Read guide to voting in England and Wales (PDF 1MB)
• Northern Ireland Guide to voting (PDF 1.3MB)
• Scotland: Guide to voting (PDF 614KB)
• Guidance in Welsh PDF (58k KB)

Useful information from United Response for voters with learning difficulties

Polling station walkthrough on the About my vote website

Northern Ireland

The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland has produced an information for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

You can also visit the Disability Action's Democracy Resource area