Voters in Ealing will have access to a range of accessibility support at next month’s local elections after Ealing Council set out measures to help residents vote independently and in private.
Polling stations across the borough’s 24 wards in Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale and Southall will open at 7am on 7 May 2026, when voters will elect 70 councillors to Ealing Council. The council, which has been run by Labour since 2010, currently has 56 Labour councillors, alongside eight Liberal Democrats, four Conservatives and two independents.
Ealing Council said all polling stations would meet Equality Act requirements, with wheelchair access, ramps where needed, low-level polling booths and private areas for ID checks.
Additional seating, brighter lighting and pencil grips will also be available.
Support for blind and visually impaired voters will include magnifying glasses, tactile voting devices, large-print ballot papers and the McGonagle Reader, an audio-assisted device. Audio recordings of ballot papers for each ward have also been published online so residents can check candidate lists before polling day.
Deaf voters will be able to use an on-demand video remote interpreting service.
Tony Clements, Ealing Council chief executive and returning officer, said: “We want everyone to be able to exercise their right to vote. We are working to ensure the local elections, taking place on Thursday 7 May, are as accessible as possible with a range of measures designed to help everyone to vote independently.”
The council said trained staff would be available throughout the day to provide confidential assistance while maintaining voters’ privacy.
Residents needing further support, or information in large print or alternative formats, can contact the council’s elections helpline on 020 8825 7777 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, or email elections@ealing.gov.uk
Full coverage of the Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing, can be found here.
