We work to ensure that all residents in Northern Ireland are on the electoral register and are able to cast their vote. There are a number of provisions in place to support electors who require additional assistance to cast their vote.
Polling station voting
If you need additional support in the polling station then please speak to one of the members of polling station staff. All polling station staff will be wearing badges to easily identify them.
If a disability prevents you from being able to complete a ballot paper on your own, the presiding officer is there to assist you, or you can take a companion - a friend or a relative - to the polling station to help you. Your companion must be 18 years old or over.
Accessibility
Other equipment that is available in the polling station to help includes:
- Booths adapted for wheelchair users.
- The entrance to the polling station will be well signposted. In some polling stations there will be an alternative accessible entrance other than the main entrance - in this situation that alternative accessible entrance will be well signposted.
- We work hard to ensure all polling stations are as accessible as possible. Where buildings are not accessible we provide ramps to be used at the polling station on election day. If you have concerns about the accessibility of your polling station, please let us know.
- Extra seating
- Long pencils and pencil grips
If you feel nervous about attending your polling station, please don’t worry. The staff are there to help and support all voters. If you want to go when the polling station is quieter we would recommend you attend during times that are less busy (e.g. mid-morning or early afternoon).
Voters with vision impairments
A large print version of the ballot paper will be on display inside the polling station and you can request a large handheld version of the ballot paper too. You can use the large print copy to read all the information on the ballot paper, but you must still cast your vote on a standard print ballot paper.
You can also request a reading light and/or a magnifying glass to read the standard ballot paper that you must complete - just ask a member of staff.
Each polling station will have a tactile voting device. The staff will provide guidance on how to use the device.
Voters with hearing impairments
We are happy to provide your polling station with a hearing induction loop if this would help you. We currently do not provide these to every polling station as a matter of course but you can request a hearing induction loop for your polling station - please send your request to info@eoni.org.uk.
Further information
If you don't want to go to the polling station to vote, please remember that all voters are entitled to apply to vote by post or proxy for each election. Voters with long-term disabilities are also allowed to apply for long-term postal votes and to vote by proxy.
A postal vote - If you have registered to vote by post you will be sent your ballot paper. You can cast your vote in your own home using your own magnifiers or equipment, rather than going to your polling station. Voting by post or proxy page.
A proxy - where you can appoint someone you trust to go to your polling station to vote on your behalf. Voting by post or proxy page.
We continue to review and improve the voting experience for voters who have disabilities. If there is more we can do, for example additional equipment we could provide, then please let us know by contacting us.