Supporting someone to vote in person

If you support or care for more than one person it can be difficult to plan a specific event on a specific day. Voting in person means that election day is the only opportunity they will get to vote.

[Standout] Remember, everybody with a learning disability and/or autism has the legal right to vote, regardless of mental capacity. Download and complete our voting passport to make sure this is understood at the polling station.

Often support workers on a rota get into weekly/daily routines and support more than one person, so research where the nearest polling station is, opening times and the practicalities of how people you support can be supported there on election day – for example which bus to catch or who is driving.

Can someone be available to transport people specifically to vote throughout the day in your area?

If possible, extra support on that day might be needed if you support more than one person in the same home – if one person can’t go to the polling station as planned it could affect everybody else’s chance to vote.

What if someone doesn’t want to vote? That doesn’t mean they can’t go along too! Especially if you plan it into another activity.

Create a buzz

“As a support worker, I try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

“We go ‘off to the polls’ and then maybe a trip to the local café for breakfast or coffee. It’s important to talk to polling station officials and explain if a person needs your support in the booth.”- Paul, a support worker in Wales.