Bristol City Council have purchased new audio-tactile voting machines for upcoming elections

Recent RNIB research showed that only 25% of visually impaired voters were able to cast their vote independently and privately in the last election.  Polling stations are obligated to have accessibility support in place, but what this is may be determined by each electoral officer.  And ultimately; a ballot paper is a visual tool – there are not large print or contrasting versions, and they require an element of useable vision to complete.  Visually impaired people frequently rely on having a helper to fill in the form for them – and may be put off by the idea of having to announce their voting intentions in the polling station.

Audio-tactile voting machines

These are machines which allow a visually impaired person to be in sole control of how they are completing their ballot paper.

Bristol City Council have invested in McGonagal machines.  In recent trials, visually impaired people found these easier to use, and they were highly accurate.  They offer an audio-tactile way to locate the right spot on a ballot paper for you to make your X and cast your vote.

How you can use a machine when casting your vote

The machines are ready to be used in the May 2025 local Mayoral elections.

There are a limited number of machines available.  If you attend any polling station, the electoral services team will bring a machine to you.  Travel times may mean there’s a wait for a machine to be available.  So we recommend that you book a time to vote, so that a machine is ready and waiting for you.

Try out an Audio-Tactile Voting Machine

Bristol electoral services are visiting our hubs during April to demonstrate the new McGonagle audio-tactile voting machines.  We will be sending invites to all clients as soon as dates are confirmed.

Of course, if you can’t try in advance, officers will be available to show you how to use the machines at the polling station.

Campaign for accessible voting

We support the RNIB #BlindVotersCount campaign.  We hope that other authorities and returning officers across the West of England will consider following the lead of Bristol and introducing a wider range of accessible voting options.

Find out more about the RNIB campaign and how to get involved on their website https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaign-with-us/support-a-campaign/why-voting-in-secret-remains-impossible-for-many-people-with-sight-loss/