Voting around the world can look very different to what we are used to in Canada, where steps to reduce barriers to the electoral process have been underway for decades. Some countries have begun to reduce barriers to voting more recently, while others have already implemented popular solutions for electors with sight loss.
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, discover what voting is like for electors who are blind or partially sighted in other parts of the world.
Europe
In 2009, the European Blind Union published a study showing the steps 18 countries of the European Union were taking to make their elections more accessible to electors who are blind or partially sighted. Some of the key findings of the report are:
- Spain introduced braille ballots in 2007 and has a toll-free telephone line where voters can access audio information about political candidates.
- Ireland allows a voter to bring a companion with them to vote if the companion is over the age of 16 and has not assisted more than two electors.
- Czech Republic, Lithuania and Malta provide training to election officials and issue guidelines on how to assist people with disabilities, including those who are blind or partially sighted.
- The United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and Sweden have accessible websites with plain language information about voting and participating in the electoral process, including short videos on registering to vote and how to vote.
Only 10 percent of countries in the European Union have electronic vote tabulating machines, even though 80 percent of voters indicated they would prefer to cast their ballot this way.
Africa
Many African countries have recently started putting in frameworks to develop accessible and inclusive voter information campaigns, train election staff on accessibility, and reduce or eliminate restrictions on people with disabilities in political and public life.
In 2010, Sierra Leone passed legislation that allows voters with disabilities, including voters who are blind or partially sighted, to bring a trusted friend or relative with them to help cast their ballot. Similar legislation is in place in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, and Mali to reduce discrimination against people with disabilities at polling stations. Barriers to full participation for electors who are blind or partially sighted still exist in these countries, namely political platforms and news media that are not available in alternate formats, and inaccessible polling stations.
There are projects in some African countries to promote a positive voting experience for people who are blind and partially sighted. In Cameroon, a project called “Accessible Elections for people with Disabilities” was developed, which is piloting accessibility training to poll workers at 12 voting booths in 6 regions of Cameroon. In 2002, Ghana introduced a tactile ballot for people who are blind or partially sighted.
Asia
In May 2016, the Philippines held their first disability inclusive election. Polling locations had ground floor access and people who were blind or partially sighted could bring in a companion to assist or access the help of a poll worker.
Indonesian law supports the rights of people with disabilities to participate in political life. While an elector who is blind or partially sighted can choose someone to help them cast their ballot, legislation still requires a polling station official to witness that vote.
In 2004, India made steps to improve their electoral process for people with disabilities. The Election Commission of India now provides braille signage and ballot papers and provides all material regarding the rights of people with disabilities in accessible formats. India also ensures physical accessibility at election booths and encourages district authorities to provide transportation to facilities and ensure ground level entry to polling locations.
Hong Kong provides an inquiry hotline to provide audio information to candidates. Hong Kong also provides a braille list of candidates and a tactile template to help blind or partially sighted electors fill in their ballot.
Taiwan ensures accessible entrances and assistance at all polling stations and allows for voting with an assistant or the use of a tactile device.
Australia
In Australia, voters who are blind and partially sighted can cast their vote over the telephone. After registering for telephone voting, the elector will phone the call centre and a voting assistant will record the voter’s preference on the ballot paper. The caller is then transferred to a second voting assistant that will ensure the vote was recorded according to the elector’s wishes.
Australia also provides information and guides in alternate formats including audio CD, braille, large print, e-text, and MP3.
United States
Accessible voting for Americans who are blind or partially sighted has been evolving for decades. Early stages of accessible voting began with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and eventually led to the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Prior to 2002, there was no legal requirement that mandated the right of electors who are blind or partially sighted to vote independently in the United States. Regulations in force at that time only recommended that election officials take steps to provide voters who are blind or partially sighted with their right to an independent vote. Most voters who were blind or partially sighted had to tell their choices to a sighted person and trust that person to mark their ballot as instructed.
States largely retained the power to decide how to comply with federal mandates which makes it very difficult for blind and partially sighted voters to navigate accommodations. Some jurisdictions use accessible voting machines which offer both touch screen and audio options. Voters can adjust the speed and volume of the speech and make their selections. People with low vision can use the touch screen ballot and adjust the print size and contrast.
Conclusion
Accessibility of elections in Canada varies widely according to whether the election is federal, provincial, or municipal. The same is true for many of the countries listed here, too. While Canada has been working towards accessible elections for decades, many countries are just starting to provide an accessible electoral process for people with disabilities.
It's also important to remember that cultural barriers may prevent someone who is blind or partially sighted from participating in political and public life in many parts of the world.