Key Facts
• Yamagata City Election Commission introduced handmade voting aids for the visually impaired.
• Aids were first deployed at the city hall’s early voting site on July 12, 2025.
• By July 20, all voting sites in the city will have these aids.
• The aids are made from reused clear files with tactile features for guidance.
• The aids are smaller than the ballot paper for easy handling.
• Braille ballots and candidate lists are also available at polling stations.
• Proxy voting is an option for those unable to write candidate names.
• Only 10–20% of visually impaired individuals understand Braille.
• Many feel uncomfortable disclosing their vote to proxy assistants.
• Elderly voters with vision issues also benefit from these aids.
• Similar initiatives are already in place in metropolitan areas.
• Yamagata City’s initiative is praised by local disability advocates.
Summary
Yamagata City Election Commission has introduced handmade voting aids to support visually impaired voters during the 27th House of Councillors election. These aids, crafted from reused clear files, allow users to identify ballot sections by touch. Initially deployed at the city hall’s early voting site, they will be available at all city polling stations by July 20, 2025. While Braille ballots and proxy voting are existing options, only a small percentage of visually impaired individuals understand Braille, and many are hesitant to disclose their vote to proxies. The initiative also benefits elderly voters with vision challenges. Disability advocates have praised the effort, expressing hope for its expansion across the region.
