It’s not over yet – local results still to come

It’s not all over when the general election results have been counted. David Smith, Deputy Returning Officer for Kirklees, tells us what’s happening with the local and parish election results…

David’s overnight election count (and the day before)

Want to know what’s been happening to your votes? It’s possibly the biggest election count in Kirklees since 1979. We talked to Deputy Returning Officer David Smith about his election day (and night)…

Vote verification in Kirklees

Before the votes in an election can be counted, all the ballot papers need to be verified. Watch this timelapse clip to see the process in full swing…

Handing in the ballot boxes after a long day

Some very tired Presiding Officers are handing their ballot boxes in after the count. Thanks to Andrea for telling us about her busy day.

Why students should vote

We talked to a student from the University of Huddersfield about why it’s important to vote.

By the way, the Students Union at the University of Huddersfield have been doing loads to encourage students to register and to vote.

Russell’s temporary polling station

We visited a temporary polling station today – handy for the neighbours and very friendly, if a bit noisy. Thanks to Presiding Officer Russell for the tour.

Voting at a polling station (without your poll card)

See how easy it is to vote at a Kirklees polling station. Don’t worry if you can’t find your poll card – you can still vote without it.

Voting in the Greenhead Ward in 2015

There’s something a bit different about voting in the district elections in the Greenhead Ward of Kirklees. Presiding Officer Julie explains more…

Postal vote opening in Kirklees

It’s one week before the elections and the opening of the postal votes is under way at Huddersfield Town Hall. Thank you to Maxine for explaining what happens to your postal vote envelope after you put it in the post box…

Sightless barriers to voting choice

Here’s a blog from Ian Beverley, sharing his personal experience of voting in an election…

It cannot be stressed enough but the corner stone of a democratic society is having the right to use and exercise a vote with elections and referendums. True, the confusion of who to vote for can put many people off using this, but its important to remember that many throughout the world have and will probably still die fighting to have this right.

However, in my own experience, there is a problem in exercising this right and this centres around being engaged in the whole voting process. Some may say that there is nothing complex about joining in on this, but over the years I have experienced barriers that have at times put me off voting altogether. Why? Well, the practicalities of accessing the registration forms, candidate campaign literature, ballot papers and polling stations themselves as a totally blind person has been akin to walking through quick sand and also fighting against a very strong head wind – okay a bit overdramatic but I’m sure it makes the point in the end.

Engaging all areas of society in the voting process is essential to further strengthening our democracy. In the past (I have lived in a number of areas up and down the country), these barriers have included print registration forms being thrust at me and being told to fill them in; even though I pointed out my sight loss and lack of support in being able to do this. I could have also filled several skips with the amount of printed election information that I have received through the various doors that I have lived behind. It wasn’t until I started living in Mirfield that I actually had election candidates come to the door to campaign for my vote.

Polling stations, ah yes, now they have come in different shapes, sizes and locations and each with their varying levels of accessibility and assistence. Honestly, I would prefer to go in person to cast my democratic ‘X’, but again, I would have done this consistently if I’d known where to go, had the confidence of receiving assistance when I was there and also knowing that I could do this in private. Accepting the right kind of help is great and I certainly encourage it, but telling someone who you want to vote for is something that I would prefer not to do.

Many groups, who are eligible to vote, are missed out of this democratic process simply because the access barriers are not fully understood. Politicians and decision makers need to understand that engaging people in the voting process is crucial to enhancing democracy and true representation. Additionally, to clear any misunderstanding and misperceptions, the best thing to do is to talk honestly which in turn will create a greater understanding where access is delivered effectively and realistically.

I want to vote on May the 7^th because I fully believe in the democratic process. I’m going to try and do so, but the problem of finding my polling station and what I will find there when I eventually reach it is playing very much on my mind.

Ian Beverley
twitter @ianbev