Quick guide:
Supporting someone to
vote
in the
general election
Thursday 4th July
Disabled people should
have equal access to vote
Government decisions affect every aspect of a disabled person's life. We, as support providers, have a responsibility to help them to use the resources and reasonable adjustments available to vote in the general election as equal members of society.
Key dates
Register to vote
By midnight, Tuesday 18 June
Apply for the Voter Authority Certificate
By 5pm, Wednesday 26 June
Apply for a postal vote
By 5pm, Wednesday 19 June
Apply for a proxy vote
By 5pm, Wednesday 26 June
Polling day: 7am - 10pm, Thursday 4th July
Postal votes need to be posted in time to arrive by this date.
Get election ready
Tasks, tips and resources
Registering to vote
This is the first step that the person you support will need to do to make sure that they can vote. The deadline to register is by midnight, 18th June.
If they’re unsure of their voter registration status, they can find out through their Local Electoral Registration Office. Contact information is available with a quick postcode search using this link:
They can register to vote online or by using a paper form. Follow the My Vote My Voice step-by-step easy-read guide about how to register:
They will need a UK postcode and national insurance number to register (wage slips or letters about benefits have this on). They can find their number or apply for one online...
Vote by post
If the person you support would like to vote by post, then they can do this by using the link below:
The deadline to register is by 5pm, 19th June.
We have also published a guide for submitting a postal vote which can support with this:
Vote by proxy
The person you support may ask someone to vote on behalf of them, either by post or in person. This is called voting by proxy. More information on this can be found in the link below. The deadline to register is by 5pm, 26th June.
Having photo ID to vote in person
As of 2023, you will need to have a photo ID to vote at a polling station. Here’s a list of accepted forms of photo ID:
If the person you support doesn’t have one, they can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply is 5pm on 26th June. Follow our guide to apply:
Have the resources for who to vote for
My Vote My Voice has written to all parties, asking them to publish easy read manifestos. We have also put together general guides about each party. Use the filter for “Understanding the parties”:
Local candidate information
(including Independent).
Other planning for voting in person
The government website has information on how to contact your local electoral registration office. They can give the person you support information around accessibility on the day. This includes:
- Physical access, such as wheelchair ramps and disabled parking spaces.
- Low-level polling booths.
- Any specific equipment you may need.
Every polling station must provide at least one large print display version of the ballot paper.
You can find your local Electoral Registration Office here:
Support on election day
For the day, consider:
- Where the polling station is (the address is printed on the poll card) and how to travel there.
- When to go (polling stations are open 7am-10pm).
- Remembering photo ID/Voter Authority Certificate.
A polling card is not required to vote in person. But ID is.
“Everyone with a learning disability and/or autism the right to vote.
“This doesn’t mean however that voting is accessible for everyone.
“Voting gives people the chance to have their say in the society that they live in.
Whether you, as a carer, vote in an election or not, the person you support should be supported to choose whether they do, as well as who they vote for.
No one has to tell anyone who they voted for or why.
“As a sector, we need to ensure everyone receiving support has access to everything they need to vote.”
Shared Lives Plus
Developed in partnership