![People with disabilities and the European elections [Policy Podcast]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EPRS-AaG-757655-People-with-disabilities-European-elections-FINAL.png?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1)
Written by Marie Lecerf.
People with disabilities still find it hard to participate in elections in the European Union. This infographic compares national practices aimed at helping people with disabilities exercise their electoral rights in the EU.
Current situation
Getting involved in political life: standing for elected office, joining a political party, or following the news; is at the heart of what it means to live in a democracy. People with disabilities are active citizens, keen to participate given the right opportunities. However, they face legal, administrative, institutional and accessibility barriers to taking part.
Several EU initiatives encourage people with disabilities to participate in politics. With the 2024 European elections on the horizon, the European Parliament is committed to helping them take part. In May 2022, Parliament adopted a proposal to repeal the 1976 European Electoral Act and replace it with a new Council regulation on electing Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage. The proposal is still under discussion within the Council. This would harmonise European election rules, notably ensuring that everyone can access information and vote on an equal basis, including those with disabilities. The new rules would mean national governments would have to ensure people with disabilities get: equal access to electoral materials, voting facilities and polling stations (Article 7); accessible postal voting; advance physical voting, proxy voting, and electronic and internet systems for voting (Article 8).
Existing postal voting and additional possibilities to vote in Member States
Table of pictograms
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘People with disabilities and the European elections‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
Listen to podcast ‘People with disabilities and the European elections‘ on YouTube.
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