Creating a true democracy – making voting accessible
For over 150 years, the right to vote independently and in secret has been a cornerstone of democracy. Yet, for many blind and partially sighted people, this right remains elusive. In 2024, we launched a dynamic, multi-faceted campaign using the local and general elections to highlight the need for widespread systemic change.
We engaged candidates from all political parties, providing practical guides for inclusive campaigning, and developed a dedicated webpage to mobilise supporters. By trialling accessible voting solutions in the May local elections and gathering real feedback, we ensured that advocacy was grounded in lived experience building on the robust data from our 2023 accessible voting trial. The promotion of a template letter meant that voters with sight loss could request accessible voting equipment for the General Election.
Harnessing the power of digital media, our campaign reached new heights. Influencer videos and a viral TikTok demonstration of a combined audio-tactile voting device captured imaginations and spread the message far and wide. The #BlindVotersCount open letter, calling on the next Prime Minister to guarantee a secret and independent vote for people with sight loss, attracted over 2,400 signatories and was delivered to Downing Street - a powerful symbol of collective determination. Our campaign video was viewed 4.8 million times – clear evidence of the interest this topic draws.
RNIB’s Area Campaigns team organised over 30 guided walks with Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, some of whom, like Alice McDonald, became MPs. Post-election, we wasted no time in meeting regional leaders to drive collaboration on key policy areas, including transport, employment, and health.
Despite the progress made, the reality is stark: the current voting system still leaves far too many behind. Our 2024 Turned Out Report on the voting experiences of blind and partially sighted voters at the UK General Election found that only one in four blind people - just 26 per cent - can vote independently and in secret. Even more striking, a staggering 73 per cent of blind and partially sighted voters are unaware that they can request reasonable adjustments to support their right to a secret and independent vote.
These figures are a clear call to action. They highlight not just the barriers that remain, but the immense opportunity - and responsibility - to transform the voting experience. We’re more determined than ever to close this gap, ensuring that every voter, regardless of sight, can participate fully and confidently in our democracy.
At the start of 2025, hope came in the form of Julie Minns MP, who chose accessible voting for blind voters and guaranteeing audio and tactile provision in every polling station as her topic for a 10-Minute Rule Bill.
With a new Elections Bill due in 2026, we will be seeking to influence the legislation and contribute towards a possible amendment. RNIB has also continued to engage with the UK Government and devolved governments, the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators and electoral services teams and Returning Officers. We have responded to the recent Electoral Commission consultation on updating its guidance and the Area Campaigns Team has been facilitating accessible voting workshops across the country.
Our plan for the future is to keep building on the momentum we created during 2024-25 with the aim that the next General Election is the most accessible in history.