New audio ballot papers at polling stations for the Scottish Parliament election
Audio ballot papers are being introduced to all polling stations in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, and Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituencies for the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2026.
The new option will help to support people with sight issues by allowing them to hear an audio version of all candidates and parties on the ballot paper. This adds to the tactile voting devices, large magnifiers and large print ballot papers that are already in place to assist voters.
People will be able to scan a QR code, with help from polling staff, which takes the voter to a bespoke audio description of all candidates and parties standing for election in their constituency/region. That will then help them to fill in their ballot papers. The audio description is also available to listen to in advance of polling day on the ‘Elections and Voting’ page of East Ayrshire Council’s website.
If anyone is not able to use the digital option, election staff will be available to assist and can read the ballot papers out to voters.
The election takes place on Thursday 7 May 2026 with the results announced on Friday 8 May.
Constituency Returning Officer Eddie Fraser said: “We want to empower as many people as possible to vote and to ensure they’re able to do this as easily as possible.
“This new audio feature, which will support people when completing the ballot papers, takes our accessibility to a new level, ensuring that polling stations and voting systems are as accessible as they can be.”
For more information visit Elections and voting · East Ayrshire Council