Polling

Social psychology

Public relations

Operating system

Developmental psychology

Learning disability

Computer science

Spoilt vote

Turnout

Psychology

Politics

Applied psychology

Political science

Proxy (statistics)

Group voting ticket

Machine learning

Voting

Disability & Society

Exercising the right to vote at elections is frequently denied to people with disabilities. In this study, we examined the voting behaviour of individuals with physical or learning impairments and the barriers they encountered during the national elections in 2017 in the Netherlands. A survey design was chosen to allow large-scale questioning of both target groups. Over 90% of people with physical impairments voted and respondents found that voting was accessible. Voter turnout among people with learning impairments was much lower (46%). They experienced difficulty to prepare themselves and at the polling station. The Netherlands seems well on the way to achieving an inclusive environment for people with physical impairments. Recommendations are given about accessibility for all and for exploring alternative methods of voting such as proxy voting and tailoring information and procedures to the needs of people with learning impairments.

Voting barriers and solutions: the experiences of people with disabilities during the Dutch national election in 2017