Democracy Minister commits to improve accessible voting for blind voters

The commitment came as MPs debated the Representation of the People Bill, a draft law that will determine how future elections are organised and administered.

RNIB has been working closely with Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle, who tabled an amendment to the Bill aimed at improving accessibility in polling stations.

The proposed amendment, known as New Clause 48, sought to introduce minimum accessibility standards by requiring polling stations to provide both tactile and audio voting solutions. Currently, decisions about what accessible equipment is available are left to individual local authorities and Returning Officers, resulting in significant variation across the country.

Why change is needed

RNIB's research found that only one in four blind people felt they were able to vote independently and in secret at the 2024 General Election. Two thirds told us they had to rely on assistance from a companion or polling station staff in order to cast their vote.

Blind and partially sighted people should have the same right as everyone else to vote independently and confidentially. Audio and tactile voting solutions already exist and can help make this possible.

What happened to the amendment?

Ahead of the debate, more than 60 MPs from several different political parties had declared their support for New Clause 48, demonstrating growing recognition across Parliament that the current system is failing blind voters.

Speaking during the debate, Marsha de Cordova MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Eye Health and Visual Impairment, said "it is time for everyone to work together to ensure that we level the playing field so that every person has the ability and the right to exercise their vote independently and in secret”.

While several MPs spoke in favour of the change and urged the UK Government to act, New Clause 48 was not put to a vote at this stage of the Bill's passage through Parliament. Instead, Florence Eshalomi, Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith, committed to continue working with MPs and Peers on a proposal that could be introduced as the Bill is examined and debated in the House of Lords.

The campaign continues

The Bill will now move to the House of Lords, where there will be further opportunities to press for change. Democracy Minister Florence Eshalomi MP, confirmed that the UK Government "will continue to work with [...] Members from both Houses on a suitable amendment that can be tabled in the Lords."

RNIB will engage closely in this process to help secure changes to the law needed to ensure blind and partially sighted people can participate more fully in democracy.

Sophie Dodgeon, RNIB Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs, said:

“Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign so far. Your voices are helping to keep this issue on the political agenda, and we will continue pushing until every blind and partially sighted person can cast their vote independently and in secret.”