By disability Disfranchisement

failure make adequate provision disabled electors can result in selective disenfranchisement of disabled people. accessibility issues need considered in electoral law, voter registration, provisions postal voting, selection of polling stations, physical equipment of polling stations , training of polling station staff. disenfranchisement may deliberate facet of electoral law, consequence of failure consider needs of other non-disabled electors, or ongoing failure respond identified shortcomings in provision.

note in case of disabled voters issue may actual disenfranchisement of able vote, rather ab initio disfranchisement. may result transition non-disabled disabled, changes in effects of disability, or changes in accessibility of electoral process.

access issues

access presents special difficulties disabled voters.

eligibility—some nations restrict franchise based on measured intellectual capacity. potential voters learning impairments, mental health issues, or neurological impairments may find barred voting law.
registration—registration difficulties may disnfranchise disabled people through inadequate access provisions. instance united kingdom (uk) electoral register updated annually largely paper-based process; provides poor accessibility people visual or learning impairments.
postal voting—postal voting disabled voters requires ballots appropriate visually impaired voters. lack of private, accessible voting booth makes postal voting inappropriate others specific physical , other disabilities.
polling stations—polling stations must offer same physical accessibility apply other public facilities (parking, ramps, etc.) there must sufficient polling stations minimize queueing, discriminates against mobility, pain or fatigue-based impairments. in 2005, 68% of polling stations in uk potentially inaccessible disabled voters.


equipment—polling stations must signposted. low-to-the-ground polling booths , voting equipment must available. equipment must enable independent voting visually and/or physically impaired voters. in 2005, 30% of uk polling stations not in compliance law requires large print ballot , physical template.
staff—staff must understand necessity of taking steps ensure access , able show voters how use equipment such physical templates, in disability etiquette avoid patronizing these voters.

campaigns improvement

the disability rights movement in uk has increased attention on electoral accessibility. campaigns such scope s polls apart have exposed violations @ polling stations.