Voting in elections
Information for disabled voters
Access to Polling Stations
All of Pendle's polling stations have disabled access.
Photographs of some the stations are available in our polling station directory and we hope to add more in the run up to voting day.
You can phone the helpline on 01282 661919 to ask about the access in advance if you are concerned or would like more details.
The polling stations are mainly schools, community halls or buildings used by the public and so must have disabled access.
If You Can't Gain Access to a Polling Station
Postal and proxy voting is an option, but if you wish to vote in person and can't get into the building, you can ask for the Presiding Officer to bring ballot papers out of the polling station for you.
After you have marked and folded the papers, the Presiding Officer must place them into the ballot boxes immediately to preserve the secrecy of your vote.
Postal and Proxy Voting
You can apply for a postal or proxy vote in advance of the election, so that you can cast your vote at home, or nominate someone you trust to cast your vote for you.
Voters in Wheelchairs
All our polling stations have polling booths that are height adjustable and can easily accommodate voters in wheelchairs.
Blind or Visually Impaired Voters
We provide at least one large print display of the ballot paper at each station, or you can ask the polling station staff to read the list of candidates and their details to you if you prefer.
We also provide tactile voting devices for blind or visually impaired people. These devices are fixed to the ballot paper and have flaps which cover each of the boxes with corresponding numbers embossed in black on the surface. The number shows up clearly against the paper and is also identifiable by touch.
To cast your vote, you lift the relevant flap to reveal the box on the ballot paper and make your mark. You can then remove the device from the ballot paper, fold the ballot paper and place it in the ballot box without help.
Assisted Voters
You may be assisted in voting by a companion, with the permission of the Presiding Officer, who must be satisfied that the your disabilities prevent you from voting unaided.
Your companion must be either a close relative (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, civil partner; son or daughter if they are aged eighteen years or over) or a qualified elector.
You should ask the permission of the Presiding Officer to be assisted by your companion. The companion is required by law to complete and sign a simple declaration at the polling station.
Getting Assistance from the Polling Staff
if you like, you can request the assistance of the Presiding Officer to mark the ballot papers for you. If you know which candidate you wish to vote for, and/or which option you wish to vote for in the referendum, you must instruct the Presiding Officer, in the privacy of the polling booth, to mark the ballot paper(s) on your behalf accordingly
If the Presiding Officer has to mark ballot papers for a voter, the name of the voter must be noted on an official form. At the close of poll, the Presiding officer must also make a statement about how many voters they have assisted.
Give us Your Views
We carry out regular polling station reviews and include local disability groups in order to make sure we can maintain and improve on what we provide for all voters.
We welcome your feedback both before and after the election.
