Turned Out 2016Report on the experiences of blind and partially sighted voters in 2016

Authors: Finlay Hind, Marie Chadwick and Hugh Huddy

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Executive Summary

Almost two million people in the UK have sight loss, of which roughly 360,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. With an ageing population, this number is set to increase. It is essential that the UK’s electoral system allows voters with sight loss to carry out their right to vote independently and in secret.

Last summer RNIB conducted a survey inviting blind and partially sighted individuals to share their voting experiences following the local and devolved elections of 5th May 2016, and the referendum on membership of the European Union held on 23rd June 2016.

Over 300 blind and partially sighted people responded to the survey, which ran between May and July 2016.

The survey results showed blind and partially sighted voters continue to face significant accessibility barriers with the democratic process. These barriers mainly arise from the non-provision of voting information in alternative formats such as large print, audio format and by email. The problems are serious because key voting documents like polling cards and ballot papers are not being made accessible.

Inaccessible voting information has a direct impact on blind or partially sighted voters’ ability to cast their vote.

Please note all quotes taken from respondents in this report have been changed for anonymity.

Key findings

With the voting process:• Half of those surveyed said they did

not feel able to vote independently or in secret. Only two in 10 felt that they could.

• Nearly half of those surveyed said they could not read any of the electoral information (such as polling cards) sent to them with fewer than two in 10 saying they could read it.

• One in 10 said they did not vote or did not attempt to vote.

• Reasons cited were inaccessibility and inability to vote in secret.

• Almost two thirds of those who did not vote said they would have voted if it had been more accessible.

Nearly half of those surveyed said they could not read any of the electoral information

50%

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When respondents were divided up by the type of election, council, devolved or EU referendum, there were small differences. For example, blind and partially sighted voters were less likely to have voted by post in the referendum than in the May elections (one in four vs just under four in 10) and were slightly more likely to say they could vote independently and in secret ( just under one in four vs just under one in five).

This comment represents a common problem for blind voters who need to use the tactile voting aid supplied at the polling station:

“ The presiding officer said they hadn’t had any training to use the template.”Susanne

Current system for accessible votingBy law all polling stations are required to provide both a tactile voting device for placing over the ballot paper and a large print sample version of the ballot paper, which blind or partially sighted voters can take into the polling booth to help them to vote. Blind and partially sighted voters can also ask polling station staff for assistance to read the ballot papers, mark their vote or verify their vote, but getting assistance clearly compromises secrecy.

Leading up to an election or referendum:• Half of respondents said they could

not read any of the party political or referendum information they were sent with fewer than one in 10 saying they could read it all.

Less than one in 10 said they could read the referendum information they were sent

How people voted:• Just over six in 10 said they voted at the

polling station with the remainder saying they voted by post.

• Only one in 100 said they voted by proxy.

What people thought about the voting process:• More than six in 10 respondents said

they did not feel that the current voting system meets everyone’s needs.

• More than one in four described the system as not fit for purpose.

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Party political and campaign informationMany respondents identified problems reading leaflets from parties and the EU referendum campaigns. The two most common complaints were of poor contrast (coloured text on coloured backgrounds, text on images) and of gloss paper. This not only presents barriers to partially sighted voters but also can prevent text-to-speech scanning software from working.

“ When I contacted candidates by telephone enquiring for large print I was told there was none available, get someone to read it to you. This left me feeling worthless.”John

“ If I just make a small comment about the lack of information about candidates. The information I did receive was not readable without a magnifier. There was nothing to say how I could get an accessible version.” Seema

With two million voters living with sight loss in the UK it makes sense to design all leaflets in clear print as standard. Why economise on the size of text only to fail to reach the voters you want to target?

The UK Association for Accessible Formats (UKAAF) has a clear print guide available here: http://bit.ly/2gopAOu

Large print, audio, braille and email is typically needed by the 360,000 people registered as visually impaired or severely visually impaired. UKAAF also provide good practice guides on producing these formats and RNIB, along with other agencies, can provide expert advice and consultancy.

A very small number of respondents surveyed said they were sent or emailed information in an accessible format when they requested it, but others were told alternative formats were not possible.

All standard information distributed in hardcopy should carry a clear and obvious notice about accessibility and not just assume everyone has normal eyesight. The front cover should include a notice in clear type saying “We can make this information available in an alternative format if you or anyone you know is visually impaired – please telephone or email…”. To back this offer up, arrangements should be put in place to ensure that when someone requests information by email or in an alternative format, that this request, supported by the Equality Act 2010, is met in a timely way.

Online information needs to be accessible too. Ensure web accessibility guidelines are followed when designing your website and that all leaflets and documents are uploaded in plain text as well as PDF. Plain text documents can include simple Word documents or those saved into RTF format. Check www.w3.org/wai for more information.

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Comparison with the 2015 surveyRNIB conducted a similar survey after the 2015 general election. While last year’s survey was completed by considerably more people (500 compared to 300) the findings were very similar. As with the 2016 results, the 2015 survey also found nearly half of respondents were unable to read any official pre-election material and half were unable to read any party political or campaign material. Over half of respondents in both surveys said that they felt unable to exercise their right to vote independently and in secret under the current system.

The 2016 survey did show a small shift towards postal voting compared to the 2015 survey. The increase was around 10 per cent (from just under three in 10 voters to just under four in 10). We are unable to determine from this survey whether this is a change in the way people are choosing to vote because of accessibility or other reasons. However, one respondent left a comment which suggests one reason which could reasonably apply to many people:

“ Postal voting is totally inaccessible but this is an easier option than left feeling totally inadequate if I attempt to vote at a polling station. I have given up on polling stations as the whole experience is demeaning.”Mary

The findings from both surveys show a higher proportion of postal voting amongst blind and partially sighted voters (around one in three) compared to the general population (one in six). Some voters have told us that the local authority encourages disabled people to vote by post. Given the lack of accessibility in postal voting packs, and with no vetted polling station staff to assist, it is likely that many blind and partially sighted postal voters are not able to cast their vote in secret.

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Analysis

Three main issues are highlighted in the 2016 survey:

In addition, a small number of respondents (11) cited poor lighting in polling stations as hampering their ability to cast their vote. We think this finding may be much more significant than the numbers suggest and that further evaluations of proper lighting in polling booths is required.

“ The voting booths are sometimes dark, they could be positioned better to take advantage of natural light, also task lighting could be made available or polling stations could ensure at least one booth has a well-lit desk.” Keith

The survey findings suggest voters are routinely relying on getting assistance from polling station staff or a companion. Reliance on assistance compromises blind and partially sighted voters’ ability to vote independently and in secret. It also puts some people off trying to vote.

The survey also highlights that the performance of polling station staff varied considerably. Some respondents said staff were rude or ignorant of the regulations to support accessible voting (26). Others said staff were well-trained and courteous (32). If Electoral Commission rules were being implemented properly, we would not expect these types of variations to be reported.

• Lack of access to / availability of large print sample ballot papers and tactile voting devices (both are required by voting regulations).

• A lack of awareness of these requirements, by voters themselves as well as polling station staff.

• Polling station staff unaware of the correct way to direct partially sighted voters with the large print sample ballot paper or blind voters in the use of the tactile voting device.

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“ I asked the staff at the polling station for assistance and they flatly refused, saying that it was illegal for them to help me. I then asked my PA to show me the boxes, and told her which one I had chosen. Because there was no braille template, ticking the box was difficult and some of it came outside the box. I was uncomfortable with asking my PA to help me with this as I wasn’t sure where her political leanings were. I have the right to a secret vote and I was denied this civil right. I wasn’t even told that there was any such thing as a braille template.” Shabazz

“ The presiding officer was extremely helpful. Although you can use the tactile guide to cast your vote you still need someone to read out the names in order to know who the numbers relate to.”Eleanor

The 2016 survey, in line with all previous surveys, continues to highlight a range of significant and on-going barriers standing in the way of large numbers of blind and partially sighted voters. While these surveys are voluntary, they have proven over the years to generate much needed voter engagement by opening up and maintaining a dialogue with real voters on the ground. What the surveys suggest is no noticeable improvements in the way accessible voting is being run, with the same problems being reported year-on-year. The findings point to persistent difficulties both with technical adjustments and with the performance of electoral office and polling station staff.

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Call to action

Almost two million people in the UK have sight loss, of which roughly 360,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. With an ageing population this number is set to increase. It is essential that the UK’s electoral system allows voters with sight loss to carry out their right to vote independently and in secret.

Action is needed now because in 2017 there will be elections for all councils in Scotland and Wales. There will be elections for 35 councils in England and elections for 12 mayors across England. A General Election before 2020 is also a possibility.

We at RNIB will continue to campaign so that the planned General Election in 2020 is the most accessible election, with the most robust monitoring data to back it up.

On behalf of all blind and partially sighted voters we at RNIB are calling for:

• All polling stations to clearly display the procedure for enabling blind and partially sighted people to vote via a prominent and distinctive poster at the polling station which is constantly visible to all polling station staff.

• Accessible pre-election materials including polling cards and boundary change notices to be proactively given or sent to any voters who request it or who the local authority knows through their records is visually impaired.

• Accessibility adjustments to be reliably made at polling stations, including correct provision of large print sample versions of the ballot papers, tactile templates that correctly fit all ballot papers, and desk lamps where higher lighting levels are needed and allowing the use of CCTV magnifiers.

• Robust communication of the legal and regulatory provisions made for blind and partially sighted people to all electoral services and polling station staff by the Electoral Commission and Cabinet Office through routine and special communications, mandatory staff training and performance monitoring.

• Provision at the polling station of braille and customised large print sample versions of ballot papers on request by a blind or partially sighted voter. Also for the procedure for requesting this to be made clear to blind and partially sighted voters in pre-election materials.

• Sample copy of ballot papers sent by email to blind and partially sighted voters who request it or who the local authority knows through their records is visually impaired and requires information by email.

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• Online voter registration process to capture the accessible format needs of blind and partially sighted voters and pass this data to the relevant electoral services for action.

• Electoral services to ensure their voter databases can capture individual voter accessibility requirements and to embed the process to capture and use this data in their public-facing processes.

• Electoral services to use the local authority sight impairment registers (CVI) to mail out a general message to all people on the registers about accessible voting and what individuals need to do to ensure voting is accessible to them. This should be a short notice in large print and braille to reach the most people. Using these registers for distribution of general mailouts is we believe in line with data protection rules.

• Accelerated development of tactile, audio and digital methods for getting pre-election materials to blind and partially sighted voters, for making postal voting packs fully accessible and for enabling voters to cast their vote in secret and without needing the assistance of another person at the polling station.

• Withholding fees paid to returning officers who fail in their duty to voters with accessibility requirements.

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Appendix

Table of QuestionsQuestion Answer Number of

ResponsesPercentage

1. Are you blind or partially sighted?

I am blind (severely sight impaired)

239 59.5%

I am partially sighted (sight impaired)

99 24.6%

I am neither blind nor partially sighted

64 15.9%

Answered 402

Skipped 0

2. Which election are you feeding back on? You can tick all that apply.

Local Elections (5 May) 195 61.1%

Devolved Elections (5 May) 65 20.4%

EU Referendum (23 June) 162 50.8%

Answered 319

Skipped 83

3. Could you read the election information your local council sent to you, such as polling cards?

Yes I could read all of the information

55 17.7%

I could read some of the information

84 27.1%

I couldn’t read any of the information

138 44.5%

I didn’t receive any information

20 6.5%

I’m not aware I received any information

13 1.2%

Answered 310

Skipped 92

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Question Answer Number of Responses

Percentage

4. Could you read the information delivered about political parties or groups sent to you such as leaflets about candidates?

Yes I could read all of the information

29 9.5%

I could read some of the information

85 28.0%

I couldn’t read any of the information

151 49.7%

I didn’t receive any information

27 8.9%

I’m not aware I received any information

12 3.9%

Answered 304

Skipped 98

5. Any other comments about the accessibility of information prior to the election?

Answered 141

Skipped 261

6. Did you vote (or attempt to vote) in any part of this year’s elections?

Yes 283 90.7%

No 29 9.3%

Answered 312

Skipped 90

7. Please tell us if any of the reasons below contributed to you not voting. You can tick all that apply.

I didn’t know where to vote 7 28.0%

I couldn’t get to the polling station easily

5 20.0%

I couldn’t vote in secret 13 52.0%

The ballot paper wasn’t accessible

15 60.0%

I don’t feel engaged with or represented in politics

6 24.%

I was too busy 2 8.0%

I would have voted if it was easier

16 64.0%

Other (please specify) 12

Answered 25

Skipped 377

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Question Answer Number of Responses

Percentage

8. How did you attempt to cast your vote?

Postal vote 104 36.9%

Polling station 175 62.1%

Proxy vote 3 1.1%

Answered 282

Skipped 120

9. Which best describes your experience of voting with a postal vote?

I used a low vision aid (such as magnifier, additional reading aid or CCTV to cast my vote)

39 37.9%

Another person helped me to vote

57 55.3%

I voted independently of low vision aids or assistance from a person

6 5.8%

I wasn’t able to vote 1 1.0%

Answered 103

Skipped 299

10. Please give us any comments you have about the accessibility of postal votes.

Answered 53

Skipped 349

11. Which best describes your experience of voting at the polling station? Please tick all that apply.

I voted using the large print template for reference

15 8.7%

I voted using the tactile template for reference

47 27.3%

I voted with assistance from a companion

52 30.2%

I voted with assistance from a member of staff from the polling station

53 30.8%

I voted without assistance 42 24.4%

I was not able to vote 1 0.6%

Other (please specify) 32

Answered 172

Skipped 230

12. Please give us any comments you have about voting at the polling station.

Answered 116

Skipped 286

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Question Answer Number of Responses

Percentage

13. Please let us know why you chose a proxy vote.

Answered 3

Skipped 399

14. Would you say that the current voting system allows you to vote independent of assistance and in secret?

Yes 62 21.8%

No 143 50.2%

Partially – I needed assistance but my vote would still be secret

80 28.1%

Any other comments 86

Answered 285

Skipped 117

15. Which statement best describes your opinion of the UK’s current voting system? You can tick as many as you like.

The current voting systems do not meet everyone’s needs

184 61.7%

The current voting systems are unfit for purpose

80 26.8%

We need new accessible ways of voting to be introduced (like telephone or electronic voting)

198 66.4%

The current system is not perfect but it does enable blind and partially sighted people to vote

105 35.2%

We should not make changes; things are fine as they are

8 2.7%

The current voting systems are fit for purpose

9 3.0%

Other (please specify) 27

Answered 298

Skipped 104

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Question Answer Number of Responses

Percentage

16. Please tell us which age group you fit into.

18-34 56 18.9%

35-44 63 21.3%

45-54 61 20.6%

55-64 70 23.6%

65-74 35 11.8%

75+ 9 3.0%

Prefer not to say 2 0.7%

Answered 296

Skipped 106

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Published by RNIB Campaigns teamJanuary 2017