New accessibility feature introduced for visual impaired voters for Thursday's elections
Voters with a visual impairment will be able to cast their vote more independently in this week’s elections.
Fenland District Council is rolling out new audio recordings of ballot papers for the Cambridgeshire County Council elections and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral election taking place this Thursday, thanks to the introduction of a new accessibility feature.
Each polling station in Fenland will have two printed QR codes – one for each election being held.
When scanned using a mobile phone or device, the QR code links to an audio version of the ballot paper – providing spoken instructions and details of all the candidates and their political parties. This allows voters to familiarise themselves with the ballot before casting their vote.
The recordings will work alongside other provisions at polling stations such as tactile voting devices, helping people who are blind and partially sighted to mark their ballot papers independently and with confidence.
Polling station staff are also on hand to offer support whenever needed.
A Fenland District Council spokesperson said: “Everyone should be able to take part in the democratic process without facing barriers and be able to vote on their own and in secret.
“We have lots of support available for people with disabilities and these new audio recordings of ballot papers will improve that further, helping ensure polling stations and the voting system are accessible as they can be.”
As well as being available at polling stations on polling day, the audio recordings can be accessed in advance below:
Cambridgeshire County Council elections:
- March North and Waldersey Division
- March South and Rural Division
- Roman Bank and Peckover Division
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral election:
- Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
For more information on the elections taking place on Thursday, visit: www.fenland.gov.uk/Elections2025
