Easy read information
Cornwall Council have produced easy read information for voters with a disability. The guide tells you how to register to vote and explains how to vote at elections.
Register to vote
You must be on the electoral register (also known as the electoral roll) to be able to vote at an election.
The deadline to register to vote is twelve working days before an election (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Good Friday and bank holidays).
You can register to vote online or by completing a paper form. The online application takes 5 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your national insurance number.
If you need a paper form please complete our online contact form or phone 01872 324196.
How to request a reasonable adjustment
You can request a reasonable adjustment to vote in an election. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need additional support, such as an audio device.
A new law, the Elections Act 2022 sets out extra support available, if you have a disability or accessibility need. This includes bringing another person to the polling station for support when you vote.
If you need help with voting or registering to vote, please contact our Electoral Services team on 01872 324196 or email voter-registration@cornwall.gov.uk
Voting in a polling station
Voters at polling stations must show photo identification (ID) before they can vote. This also applies to a proxy voting on someone’s behalf. People voting by post do not need to provide ID. More information is available on the Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
At polling stations, we provide support for voters with disabilities, including:
- Accessible venues
- Low-level polling booths for wheelchair users
- Large print versions of ballot papers
- Tactile Voting Devices (TVD) for blind and partially sighted voters
- Pencil grips
- Handheld magnifiers
- Additional chairs for rest (where space allows)
- Additional lighting (where required)
- Assistance from polling station staff to be guided to the voting booth and
how the equipment is used
Voting by post
You can apply to vote by post rather than going to a polling station. You can apply online to vote by post.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, 11 working days before an election (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Good Friday and bank holidays).
If you have registered to vote by post you will be sent your ballot paper.
You can vote in your own home using your own magnifiers or equipment, instead of going to your polling station. You can also request assistance at home, including:
- tactile voting device
- large print ballot paper for reference
- help with returning your completed ballot paper
Voting by proxy
If you are registered to vote but will be unable to get to a polling station to vote, you can appoint someone you trust to go to your polling station to vote on your behalf. This is called voting by proxy. Most electors can apply for a proxy vote online.
The deadline to apply to vote by proxy is 5pm, six working days before an election (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Good Friday and bank holidays).
For more information, please go to our proxy voting page.