Voting for people with disabilities

Do you have a physical or mental disability? On this page you will find information about our extra accessible polling station and help with voting.

Extra accessible polling station

This year, the polling station in ‘Wijkcentrum De Schakel’ is an extra accessible polling station. This polling station includes a voting template and soundbox for the blind, visually impaired and people with dyslexia. This video explains how that works. Other measures are also being taken to make this polling station more accessible for people with disabilities.

A number of rules apply to this polling station:

• A maximum of three people may be present in the polling station at the same time.
• We request that you’ll be as quiet as possible in the polling station. For some fellow residents it is pleasant if there are as few stimuli as possible.
• The light is dimmed. There is sufficient light to cast your vote.

Do you have a question? There is a host or hostess who can help you. You can recognize him or her by the blue sticker on the chest.

We would like to emphatically request that you vote elsewhere if you consider it possible. This way, the extra accessible polling station is actually available to fellow residents who really need it. Residents around ‘Wijkcentrum De Schakel’ can go to ‘Schuilkerk de Hoop’ or one of the other polling stations in the center to cast their vote.

What is arranged for people with disabilities?

In every polling station you will find a list of candidates in large letters and a magnifying glass with lighting. For people in wheelchairs there is at least one voting booth with a lowered writing surface.

At the polling station, a polling station member may explain how to use the ballot paper. Do you need help voting because of your physical disability? Then someone can come with you to the voting booth to help you. Do you have a (mild) intellectual disability? Then help in the voting booth is not allowed. Ask for an explanation from a polling station member outside of the booth.

I have a mentor, administrator or am under guardianship. Can I still vote myself?

The right to vote is a personal right that belongs only to the voter. So you can vote yourself, even if someone else is your legal representative. It is up to you to decide whether you authorize someone if you cannot or do not want to come to the polling station yourself.

General power of attorney for someone with an intellectual disability

Do you have a general power of attorney to act for someone with an intellectual disability? This power of attorney does not apply to elections and is therefore not accepted by the polling station.
However, the voter with an intellectual disability can authorize you to vote for him or her via the voting pass or via an authorization form. The person who cannot vote must ask you to do so on their own. The person must sign the power of attorney himself.

I have a disability that still prevents me from voting. What now?

Do you have a disability that still makes it impossible for you to vote? Please contact us and we will see together whether a solution is possible. You can contact us via verkiezingen@diemen.nl.