Accessible voting

There are a number of different options in place for people who are unable to vote in person at a polling station. These options are in place for various reasons including those related to disability, varying ability of reading and writing skills, illness or not being at your normal place of residence.

Voters who are unable to vote at a polling station can:

Vote by post
Vote in a hospital or nursing home (Special Voters list)
Change the polling station where you vote
Get assistance casting your vote

Vote by post

One key area changed by the Electoral Reform Act 2022 was the introduction of a rolling register. This means that people can update their details at any time of the year (except in the immediate run-up to an electoral event).

Another change brought about by the Electoral Reform Act 2022 was the eligibility for those with a mental illness or disability to apply for a postal vote.

To apply for a postal/special vote due to illness, disability or circumstance, you will need to complete the PV2 Application Form.

Download PV2 Form

Accessible Form

Application deadlines vary depending on the type of electoral event:

Dáil/General Election – Two days after the date of dissolution of the Dáil
Dáil bye-election – Two days after the polling day order is made
Presidential, European, local elections or a referendum – At least 22 days before polling day (not including Sundays, Good Friday or Public Holidays)

Request a change of polling station

A number of inaccessible polling stations remained for the last electoral event (7 June elections). If you are a wheelchair user and/or have difficulties accessing your polling station you can apply in writing to the Returning Officer of your constituency. Applications to vote at an alternative polling station must be received at least a week in advance of polling day.

If possible, you should suggest another polling station that is both accessible and convenient for you. If you are not familiar with other polling stations in your area, the Returning Officer will pick an alternative station for you. If you provide an explanation of why your current station is inaccessible to you it will help the Returning Officer to pick an alternative.

The Returning Officer will send you written authorisation to vote at another polling station. You should present this authorisation (along with the usual evidence of identity) when you go to vote. Once you have been assigned another polling station, you cannot vote at your local station.

Assistance casting your vote

People with a disability can avail of different types of assistance when casting their ballot paper in the polling station. This can be done by having the assistance of:

A Companion
Presiding Officer
A ballot paper template

You can read more information on the types of assistance available when casting your vote below.

Companion

If you have a visual impairment, a physical disability or a literacy difficulty which prevents you from voting without assistance, you can bring a companion. The companion has your permission to mark the ballot paper for you with your choice. This person must be at least 16 years of age, not be an election candidate or a candidate’s agent. This person must not help more than two people per election or referendum.

Presiding Officer

If you have a visual impairment, a physical disability or a literacy difficulty that prevents you from voting without assistance, the Presiding Officer can help you cast your vote. If you chose the Presiding Officer to help you vote, you should go to the polling station well before the polling station is closing. The law allows a Presiding Officer to refuse a request for assistance during the last two hours of voting if in helping one elector to vote would prevent others from voting.

If voting this way, the Presiding Officer and any personation agent present goes to an area of the polling station where they would not ordinarily be overheard, for your privacy. If required, the Presiding Officer can suspend entry and have the polling station cleared to ensure privacy and the secrecy of the ballot. (This facility is why there is the provision whereby returning officer can refuse assistance in the last two hours of polling).

The Presiding Officer asks how you want to vote and marks the ballot paper according to your preferences. The law forbids a Presiding Officer from acting on any written instructions received from a voter. This is to ensure that Presiding Officer is acting upon your wishes and that there has been no interference from a third party.

A ballot paper template

A ballot paper template is a transparent plastic device that is placed on top of a ballot paper. The template has raised print and braille on it, so that visually impaired people can vote independently. You can use this option if you have a visual impairment. These ballot papers are available at every polling station, on request.

For further information on ballot paper templates please see the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website and Vision Ireland (formerly NCBI) website.