Most of the processes for electors to register to vote and cast their vote are prescribed in law. The Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for electors with disabilities to remove barriers to voting.
Existing adjustments and provisions to improve access
Standard adjustments are already in place. However, the specific needs of each individual vary, and additional adjustments may be possible.
If you believe that there are other adjustments that would assist you to either register to vote or cast your vote, please contact Electoral Services.
Some adjustments may take time to arrange, so we suggest that you contact us as soon as possible by email: electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk or call our helpline on 0300 373 0595.
Wheelchair access to polling stations
All polling stations are wheelchair accessible and temporary ramps are provided if needed. Some polling stations may have an alternative step-free access route and this will be clearly signposted.
Every polling station has a low-level polling booth. It's suitable for most wheelchair users and people of short stature.
Voting aids for visually impaired or blind voters
McGonagle Readers
Audio and tactile devices called McGonagle Readers are available to help blind and partially sighted voters to vote independently and in secret. The device provides an audio commentary and a special keyboard to enable the voter to cast their vote secretly and independently. This equipment has been recommended by the RNIB.
Election staff are needed to set up the McGonagle Reader to make sure that the ballot paper is correctly attached to it and the correct audio file is loaded. Once it is set up, the voter can confidently cast their vote.
Voters who wish to use a McGonagle Reader at their polling station should contact Electoral Services prior to polling day so that one can be ready for use when they attend their polling station.
Using the McGonagle Reader
The voter wears headphones and audio instructions tell them:
- who the candidates are
- how many votes they have
- how to navigate the device so they cast their vote or votes without assistance
The keyboard is fixed to the ballot paper. Each candidate is numbered on the device with the first candidate on the ballot paper numbered 1. The numbers are embossed in braille on the device so the voter can identify the candidate(s) of their choice by touch. Next to each number is a flap that can be opened. This is positioned directly above the box in which the vote is cast for the candidate.
The list of candidates on the ballot paper is read out to the voter. When the elector is told the number(s) of the candidate(s) they wish to vote for, they can find the number on the device, open the respective flap and vote for the candidate(s) of their choice. The device is then removed, and the ballot placed in the ballot box.
The tactile voting device can also be used by voters with limited vision to cast their vote independently. It can be used alongside large print versions of the ballot paper as a reference to enable the voter to more easily find the candidates that they wish to vote for on the ballot paper.
By law, you must cast your vote on a standard sized ballot paper.
Postal votes with the McGonagle reader
Voters with a postal vote can also use a McGonagle Reader in advance of the Mayor of Croydon and Croydon Council elections in May 2026. On Saturday 2 May, McGonagle Readers, supported by election staff, will be available for use at Croydon Vision.
Postal voters will need to bring their postal votes to Croydon Vision, where they will be able to use a McGonagle Reader to cast their votes.
To find out more about the McGonagle Reader including trying a demonstration version, or to arrange to use one at the forthcoming elections, please contact Electoral Services electoral.services@croydon.gov.uk.
Text to speech apps
Voters with disabilities are welcome to use text-to-speech apps or other assistive equipment as required to read documents to help them to mark their ballot paper.
Other aids
In addition to the assistive technology, the following will also be available at all polling stations:
- magnifying glasses
- extra lighting
- specially designed pencil grips for voters who may struggle to hold and use pencils
Help from a companion
If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, you can bring someone with you to the polling station to help you to mark your ballot paper. Your companion must be over 18 years old on the day of election and must complete a companion declaration form to state they have recorded your vote truly and faithfully.
Companion declaration forms can be obtained from the Presiding Officer of the polling station on the day of election.
Help from polling station Presiding Officer
If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, the Presiding Officer of the polling station can help you vote. Presiding Officers are legally bound by the Requirement for Secrecy, and you can be confident your vote will remain secret.
The Presiding Officer and the Poll Clerks are also available to answer any questions about the voting process so that voters are confident that they are completing their ballot paper correctly.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals are welcome inside polling stations.
Other ways of voting
Voting by post
Voting by post means we will send you a posting voting pack so you can complete your ballot paper at home and return it in the post when elections take place. You will not need to attend a polling station on the day of election.
If you are not able to sign or provide a consistent signature on your application and the postal voting statement which you must complete as part of your postal vote, you can apply for a waiver so your signature is not required. You can do this as part of your online application to vote by post or separately by contacting Electoral Services.
The law requires postal voters to provide their date of birth when they apply and when they vote as part of the verification process and it is not possible to wave this requirement.
Voting by proxy
Voting by proxy means nominating someone you trust to vote on your behalf. Voters with a disability can have a permanent proxy vote, where you can nominate a named other person to receive and mark your ballot paper on your behalf.
Large print documents and information
Electoral Services are able to provide large-print versions of certain forms and documents in large-print. These include forms to register to vote, apply for a postal or proxy vote, and poll cards.
Further resources on accessibility
My Vote My Voice is a campaign to support voting for people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have created a step-by-step guide to voting.
GOV.UK have created an easy read guide on applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.