People with dementia have the same right to vote as everyone else. Here we explain why people with dementia can still vote, and the different ways you can vote if you want to. No one can be prevented from voting because they have dementia. It is important to know this so that people with dementia have an equal voice in their communities.

What does the law say about dementia and voting?

Everyone with dementia has a right to vote. The Mental Capacity Act provides a framework for making decisions on behalf of people who lack mental capacity to make a decision but this does not apply to voting. It is up to the individual to choose if they want to vote and who they want to vote for. No one can do that on their behalf.

However, people with dementia may face practical barriers when the time comes to go to the polls. For example, they may need to be reminded of the date or need support getting to the polling station. They might also need extra help when they are at the polling station. 

Making your vote count

Register to vote

To take part in elections you must be registered to vote in person, by post or by proxy.

• Find out how to register to vote.
• Find out when elections are taking place in your area.

If you live in a care home you still have the right to vote. The staff there can help you to make sure you are registered. Don't be afraid to ask them.

How to vote in person

If you have registered to vote in person, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day of the election (also known as polling day).

By law polling stations have to provide extra support people with disabilities to vote. This included people with dementia. Extra support might include providing special equipment such as a magnifying glass or pencil grip, or lowering the writing surface to wheelchair level. 

You are also entitled to have someone accompany you in the polling station to help you to vote. This can be anyone who is 18 or over. If you don't have anyone who can help you can ask staff at the polling station to help you. 

If you need particular assistance, contact your local council in advance, or speak to the staff at your polling station You will need to show photo ID before you vote at polling stations. This includes a passport, driving licence or a travel card such as a bus pass with your photograph on it.

If you don't have any photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

How to vote by post

If you can't get to the polling station, or would just prefer not to, don't worry. You can vote by post. Find out more about voting by post and how to apply. If you have applied to vote by post, you will receive a postal voting pack. Make sure you keep it safe.

The pack will tell you how to complete your ballot paper. As soon as you are ready to return your vote, take it to the post box yourself.  If you can't post it yourself, you can ask someone you trust to post it for you. You can't ask a candidate or political party worker to post it for you.

The elections team at your local council will need to receive your postal vote by 10pm on polling day. If you can't post your postal vote in time, you can take it to your polling station on polling day.

How to vote by proxy

Another option could be to appoint someone to make your vote for you.  This is called voting by proxy. Your proxy is not allowed to make a decision about who to vote for – they just fulfil your wishes. You need to tell your proxy who you want to vote for and they must follow that.

Although you don’t need mental capacity to vote, it is sometimes said that you have to have mental capacity to appoint a proxy. The law is not clear about this.

Unlike for a postal vote you do have to show a reason why you can’t get to the polling station when you make the application. This might be because you are going on holiday or because of a disability such as dementia.