Thousands of people will not vote on Saturday because they cannot – whether due to disability, illiteracy, infirmity or because they have never been shown how to, a voter inclusion expert warns. She believes many thousands of people with intellectual disabilities do not vote because they have not been supported to register to vote. Polling station staff, or a “polling companion”(friend or family member over 16) can help a person to vote, including helping them fill in the ballot paper. “A big publicity push is needed to tell people they will be helped at the polling station if they need it. That is one of the major issues for people who want to vote but don’t have a PA to get them to the polling station.

Source: The Irish Times February 06, 2020 13:26 UTC