Voting in person at a Polling Station 

Our staff working at all polling places in Sutton are there to assist and help voters. They can answer any questions regarding the voting process. They will support all voters, so that voters feel confident that all legal processes have been followed.

Help from a companion

If you have a disability which prevents you from marking your ballot paper on your own, the Presiding Officer (member of staff) at the polling station can help you cast your vote. Presiding Officers are legally bound by the requirement of secrecy, and you can be confident your vote will remain secret.

Or 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 at the polling station on the day of the election.

Equipment at the polling station

All polling stations are equipped with accessibility voting booths to create a fully inclusive voting environment. Accessible voting booths are suitable for voters who use wheelchairs or need assistance.

Ask Staff for: 

  • chair

  • assistance from polling station staff

  • how to vote in this election instructions

  • a ballot paper magnifier

  • tactile voting device (ballot paper template guide)

  • sample of a large print ballot paper

  • an enlarged hand-held copy of the ballot paper

  • pencil grip (for those who find holding a pencil difficult)

  • coloured overlays (see below ‘People with dyslexia’)

You can request additional support. We would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments, if required, that we are able to accommodate. Some adjustments take time to arrange, so please contact us as soon as possible on 020 8770 4179 or email electoral.services@sutton.gov.uk.

 

Wheelchair Access

All polling stations are wheelchair accessible and temporary ramps are provided where needed. Some polling stations may have an alternative step-free access route, which will be clearly signposted. 

Every polling station has a low-level polling booth. It's suitable for most wheelchair users or people who require sitting to cast their vote.

 

People with learning disabilities and/or autism

Mencap have created a series of easy read guides for people with a learning disability, This includes information on the different ways you can vote; how to vote by post, proxy or at a polling station. These guides are available to download and can be found on the Mencap website.

 

People who are blind or partially sighted

Polling stations are equipped with: 

  • tactile devices: these are available at all polling stations to help blind or partially sighted electors mark their ballot paper. The device is fixed to the ballot paper and is numbered. The numbers are embossed in braille on the device so the elector can read the numbers by touch. Next to each number is a flap that can be opened. This is positioned directly above the box in which an X will be marked to cast a vote for a candidate. The candidates can be read out to the elector. When the elector is told the order 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 is placed in the ballot box

  • large print ballot papers: are available in every polling station, these are visual aids for assistance. By law, you must cast your vote on a standard sized ballot paper

  • text to speech apps: voters are welcome to use their own text-to-speech apps or other assistive equipment in order to mark their ballot paper 

  • magnifying glass: is available at all polling stations for voters to use

  • assistance animals: are welcome inside polling stations

  • additional lighting: reading lamps are available at all polling stations for voters to use

 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing

The Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) has produced a series of British Sign Language (BSL) videos to provide accessible information about voting in UK elections. These resources were commissioned by the Electoral Commission and form part of a broader set of web pages covering key topics, including:

  • Voting in UK elections

  • Ways to vote

  • Voter ID requirements

For more information, please visit the RNID website: Voting in UK Elections

 

People with dyslexia

All our polling stations are equipped with coloured overlays. These are transparent sheets in various colours.

How They Work: They filter specific wavelengths of light, reducing the high contrast between black text and a white page that causes visual distortions. Users often experience less eye strain, reduced headaches, improved tracking (not losing their place), and better comprehension.  Different people need different colours (e.g., aqua, pink, yellow, blue, or grey) to find the right shade that works for them.

The Dyslexia Research Trust suggests Yellow and Blue are the best colours, the Irlen Institute recommends Yellow, Blue and Green, but some other studies have shown that people may prefer another colour. The coloured overlay packs at the polling station will contain eight colours to choose from: pink, purple, rose, orange, blue, green, red and yellow.

Ask a member of staff if you need to use the coloured overlay pack whilst casting your vote.  Staff will be able to support you if you need additional support.

 

Other ways of voting:

 

Voting by postal or proxy - unable to provide a signature

If an applicant is unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature due to any disability or is unable to read or write, the requirement for a signature on the postal vote application and postal voting statement can be waived. They must provide the reason for the request. If assistance is needed in completing the application, the name and address of any person who has assisted.

You can apply to vote for a postal waiver if you are unable to attend a polling station on this website. You will need your national insurance number to hand.  Once you have added your national insurance number, you will be asked ‘Can you write your signature' tick ‘No’ and continue. Mark the appropriate box and give a brief explanation why you are applying for the waiver.

If you prefer a paper application, either call our helpline: 020 8770 4179 or email us: electoralservices@sutton.gov.uk giving your name and address so that the paper application can be posted to you.

You can download and complete paper application forms if you require an ongoing proxy due to disability, employment or education as you cannot apply online for these applications.

To apply for any application to vote or register, the applicant must provide their date of birth and national insurance number - have these to hand before you start the application process.

 

Further useful resources:

 

You can request additional support. We would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments, if required, that we are able to accommodate. Some adjustments take time to arrange, so please contact us as soon as possible on 020 8770 4179 or email electoral.services@sutton.gov.uk