A recap of the 2025 local elections in England
Local elections took place in many areas across England on 1 May. Throughout the build up to election day, we worked to make the voting experience for blind and partially sighted people as accessible as possible. We engaged with local authority Electoral Services and supported blind and partially sighted people to request the adjustments they need to vote independently and in secret, as is our right. Read on to hear more about what we did, and what lies in store over the next year.
Background
Although it’s been over 150 years since the Ballot Act 1872, which guaranteed the right to vote in secret, many blind and partially sighted people continue to be denied this fundamental right.
These were the first set of elections since the 2024 General Election and the release of RNIB’s latest Turned Out report, which found that only a quarter (26 per cent) of blind voters felt that the current system allowed them to vote independently and in secret at that election.
Following the publication of the report, we met with or presented to nearly 70 different electoral services teams across England, to highlight our findings and recommendations, discuss the challenges electoral services teams face in guaranteeing an accessible vote, and to explain which solutions are available.
Audio-tactile device made available in Bristol and other places
Our 2024 research and our 2023 accessible voting trial shows that the audio-tactile device, the McGonagle Reader, is the best solution currently available. The device enables blind electors to vote with a 93 per cent accuracy rate. This year, in Bristol, we were delighted that this audio tactile voting device was made widely available across the city for anyone with sight loss either to pre-book or turn up and use on the day. Watch our explainer video here.
We shared this news particularly with those in the South West, and encouraged blind and partially sighted people to make use of the device. We’ll next work with Bristol Electoral Services, Sight Support West of England, and other partner organisations, to evaluate the outcome of the model used at this election. The device was also available in Bassetlaw, Cambridge, Huntingdonshire, Market Harborough and Stroud.
Working with Electoral Services and voters
Before polling day, we contacted all Electoral Services that were holding elections in England on 1 May to ask about their provisions for ensuring an accessible vote. We shared our view that the audio-tactile device is the best solution currently available for enabling blind and partially sighted people to vote independently and in secret.
In addition, we supported blind and partially sighted people to request the adjustments you’re entitled to. We held online sessions to inform people of their rights, and shared a template letter and guidance for contacting Returning Officers to discuss requirements for polling day.
In Parliament
In January, Julie Minns MP (Labour, Carlisle), championed the rights of blind and partially sighted voters through a Ten-Minute Rule Bill on accessible voting, in collaboration with RNIB. Our North West Area Campaigns Officer Terri spoke about the importance of the bill on BBC North West and was quoted by BBC Online. In the build up to local elections, Julie wrote an article in Politics.co.uk, which brought accessible voting into the conversation across all political parties. While the bill is unlikely to become law, Julie’s campaigning has brought valuable attention to our calls.
Elsewhere in Parliament, RNIB has submitted extensive written evidence to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee as part of a review of the 2024 general election.
Looking ahead
Given the postponement of some local elections this year, May 2026 will be a bumper set of elections and our aim will be to get as many blind and partially sighted people as possible voting independently and in secret, as is our right.
More immediately, we’ll soon be responding to an upcoming consultation on Electoral Commission Guidance. We’ll continue to meet with different electoral services teams across the country to work together to improve voting accessibility, and we’ll support them to access their local sight loss registers so that blind and partially sighted electors can be contacted in their preferred format.
In conjunction with local societies, we’ll be organising accessible voting workshops and device demonstration days. We’ll continue to encourage blind and partially sighted people to request the reasonable adjustments needed to vote independently, with our template letter to request an audio-tactile device.
Did you vote on 1 May?
We’re really keen to hear from blind and partially sighted people about how accessible, or not, your vote was on 1 May. Regardless of which method you used to vote (in person, post, proxy) we encourage you to get in touch and share your experience with us. You can email [email protected] or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
