Information for people with a disability
Voting is a protected human right under the Human Rights Act 2004.
We're committed to helping all eligible ACT electors participate in the electoral process.
Accessibility and inclusion plan
Our Accessibility and Inclusion Plan outlines our approach to planning and delivering accessible electoral services to the ACT community. The Plan has a particular focus on those most disadvantaged, living with a disability or from a culturally and linguistically diverse or indigenous background.
Read the Accessibility and Inclusion Plan 2024-2026 [PDF 329 kB].
Voting at polling places
Before each election, we review polling locations against accessibility and disability standards.
This website will provide detailed information on the disability assessment of each polling location so you can check if it meets your requirements.
You can view information about your nearest polling place to see if it:
- is fully accessible
- has assisted accessibility
- has no accessibility.
We also send a brochure to all ACT homes before the election with this information. It will also be available in audio format on this website and in ACT libraries.
Accessible voting booths
All polling places have a voting booth at a reduced height for wheelchair users.
Accessible electronic voting terminals
Electronic polling places are equipped with an electronic voting terminal specifically for:
- people who are blind or vision impaired
- people who need to sit when they vote.
These terminals can be used by a person in a wheelchair, or in the seat supplied in the booth.
The terminal has:
- headphones that deliver recorded audio instructions to guide a blind or vision impaired elector through the voting process.
- a keypad to navigate the ballot paper so a blind and vision impaired elector can vote secretly and independently.
Low sensory voting location
A new polling location will be available at the 2024 ACT election. The low sensory voting centre is a specialised Early Voting Centre for neurodivergent voters who may require a quieter, calmer environment to cast their vote.
Features include:
- fewer voting booths with greater space between
- natural light and adjustable individual lighting at booths
- access to a waiting room if you need extra time before or after voting
- one completely separate voting room separate from the main voting room
Trained staff will be happy help with reasonable adjustments and provide assistance to ensure your voting experience allows you to have your say in your way.
Located at:
Canberra Museum and Gallery - in Civic Square (next to the Civic Library)
See early voting opening hours
Assistance voting
When you vote at a polling place you can ask someone you trust to accompany you and help you complete your vote.
You can also ask a polling official to help you. The Officer in Charge of a polling place will wear a green vest indicating they are an assistance officer.
Voting from home
If you can't physically come to a polling centre there are other ways to vote.
Telephone voting
Telephone voting is based on the electronic voting system with the addition of a telephony service.
If you have a visual impairment, you may be eligible to vote by telephone.
To vote by telephone you must register first.
You then use the number pad on your phone to navigate the voting process. You don’t tell another human your voting preferences.
Read about voting by telephone.
Postal votes
If you can’t physically attend an early voting centre, or a polling place on election day, you can vote by postal vote.
You can apply for a postal vote either for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
To vote by post you must apply first.
If you are registered as a general postal voter, you’ll automatically receive postal voting material at every ACT and federal election.
The earliest we can mail you ballot papers is 30 September 2024.
Help understanding the voting process
If you or someone you know has difficulty reading and understanding English, use the Easy English guide to the ACT election.
It provides information about enrolling and voting in the ACT Legislative Assembly election.
Read the guide with a friend, family member or support person so you can discuss the ideas and ask questions.
View the:
You can also visit us at our offices to get a hardcopy of this Easy English guide.
Helping someone in your care
We’ve developed advice to help you assist someone in your care with the voting process.
Read the Enrolment and voting for people with a disability factsheet.
ACT Electoral Accessibility Advisory Committee
The ACT Electoral Accessibility Advisory Committee provides advice and feedback to help Elections ACT.
We use the advice to make sure resources and systems meet community needs and expectations of accessible, inclusive elections.
Invited members are:
- from organisations which represent people with disability in our community
- representatives from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and indigenous groups
- individuals with a personal lived experience which is representative of many in the community.
Read the Terms of Reference: ACT Electoral Accessibility Advisory Committee 2024 [PDF 211 kB].