Accessibility at Elections - Mid Sussex District Council

We are committed to ensuring voting is accessible for everyone, both at polling stations across Mid Sussex and throughout the entire voting process. On this page, you’ll find details about the support available to help you vote with confidence.

Accessibility at the Polling Station

Our polling station staff are fully trained to provide assistance and ensure that voting is accessible for everyone. Each station is equipped with a range of tools designed to help you cast your vote:

Tactile voting device - Assists blind or partially sighted voters mark their ballot paper.
Ballot paper magnifier - Enlarges text on the ballot paper to make it easier to read.
Writing aid - Fits onto pens or pencils to help voters with dexterity difficulties mark their ballot paper.
Large print ballot papers - Available as a reference guide and may be taken into the polling booth.
Guidance for voters - Clear step-by-step instructions displayed inside and outside the polling station.
Instruction notices - Located in each booth, explaining how to correctly mark your ballot paper.
Low-level polling booths - Designed for wheelchair users, ensuring accessibility while voting.
Seating - Available to any voter who may need additional support or a break.

Additionally, voters who need reasonable adjustments are welcome to use accessibility tools on their own devices – such as text-to-speech apps, a torch or a magnifier – to help them read their ballot paper.

Polling station staff will also be on hand to help. They will be easily identifiable by their official badges should you need any assistance.

Did you know?

You can apply for a postal vote if you would rather not vote in person or find it difficult to get to a polling station.. You can also apply for a proxy vote so someone you trust can vote on your behalf at a polling station..
You can bring someone with you to help you cast your vote. They must be at least 18 years old. The Presiding officer will ask them to sign a simple declaration form before assisting you.
You can also ask the Presiding Officer for assistance, including to read out the list of candidates, or help you mark the ballot paper. All polling station staff are politically neutral and are there to help you.

Additional resources for polling station voting are linked below.

Other Resources

Voter Passport

You may also bring a Voter Passport with you to the polling station. This helps the polling station staff understand what reasonable adjustments you may need to vote. You can download and complete a copy of this passport here:

My Voter Passport

Reasonable Adjustments

Every voter should have the right to vote independently and in secret. However, we recognise that some disabled voters may face barriers when voting.

If you need a reasonable adjustment at your polling station, you can contact us by e-mailing elections@midsussex.gov.uk, or by calling 01444 477003. Please make your request as early as possible before the election to allow sufficient time for your request to be considered and arranged.

Guidance on Polling Station Voting

My Vote My Choice – Easy Read Guides

Electoral Commission Guides.

Royal National Institute for Deaf People Guides

How to vote in person

Accessibility for Postal and Proxy Voting

You may choose to apply for an absent vote.

Anybody who is registered to vote can make an application to vote by post or a proxy vote.

Postal Voting

If you wish to apply to vote by post, you can either:

Once your postal vote has been setup, a postal vote pack will be sent to you by post no later than 9 days before polling day. Instructions will be included in the pack, and you must complete and return your postal vote so that it reaches us by 10pm on polling day.

If you require a large print postal vote pack, please contact the Electoral Services Team using our details provided at the end of this page.

Additional resources for postal voting can be found below:

Other Resources

My Vote My Choice - Easy Read Guides

Electoral Commission Guides