Publication
Ballot Paper Template for Voters who are Blind or Vision Impaired
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Voters who are blind and vision impaired will have the option at the forthcoming Bye-election in Dublin Bay South of voting independently by using a Ballot Paper Template (BPT), which will enable them to mark their ballot paper without assistance if they wish to do so.
A BPT is a transparent plastic device that is placed on top of a ballot paper. It has a number of tactile features to facilitate the independent marking of a ballot paper by a voter who is blind or vision impaired. The template consists of raised numbering and corresponding braille to assist the voter in identifying the openings on the template that correspond to the voter preference boxes for the candidates on the ballot paper which lies beneath.
The BPT works in conjunction with a ‘Freephone – 1800’ number that informs the listener of the candidates corresponding to the numbers on the BPT. Based on this interaction between the tactile features of the BPT and the information provided on the Freephone number, the voter can then mark the ballot paper with their voting preferences (1,2,3 etc.). The BPT also has a flap corresponding to each voting choice that can be securely closed once a voting preference has been completed. Once the voter has completed the process, the ballot paper is detached from the template and placed in the ballot box in the usual way.
The Freephone number will be available for voters intending to use the template as soon as possible following the close of nominations to stand for elections. The Freephone number will be available up to and including polling day. Therefore, voters can listen to the candidate line-up from the comfort of their homes as often as they wish in advance of polling day and, if they wish, can again listen to it on their mobile phones at the polling station. Voters should refer to the website of the returning officer Dublin City Returning Officer
Dublin Bay South
1800 44 66 88
Another option open to voters with the relevant screen reading technology (eg on their phones, tablets or laptops) is to familiarise themselves with the candidates by accessing the relevant ‘Notice of Poll’ or ‘candidate details’ section on Dublin City Returning Officer . A Notice of Poll is a statutory notice published by a returning officer which sets out details of the poll, including a listing of the candidates in the order in which they will appear on the ballot paper.
BPTs will be available at each polling station on polling day. If a voter who is blind or vision impaired indicates to the Presiding Officer that they wish to avail of the BPT option, they will be handed their ballot paper with the appropriate BPT attached. However, the option of voting with the aid of a companion or the Presiding Officer at a polling station will continue to be available for those voters who are blind and vision impaired that would prefer to continue voting in this way.
Voters intending to use the template may also wish to refer to the website of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland where further details can be obtained about the use of the templates.