Key Facts
• July 20, 2025: Voting support card introduced in Upper House election.
• Target group: Voters with difficulty expressing their intentions verbally.
• Support card included with admission tickets sent to all voters.
• Development began in fall 2024; missed October 2024 Lower House election.
• February 2025: Mock voting at Sagamihara Support School provided feedback.
• Features: Three questions on required support, additional space for custom requests.
• Accessibility tools: Communication boards and writing aids also introduced.
• Goal: Enhance “soft accessibility” in polling stations.
Summary
The Sagamihara City Election Management Committee introduced a voting support card during the July 2025 Upper House election to assist voters who face challenges in verbal communication. The card, included with admission tickets sent to all voters, allows individuals to indicate their support needs, such as assistance from polling staff. Development began in late 2024, with feedback from a mock voting session at a local support school leading to improvements like added furigana and clarifications on proxy voting rules. Additional accessibility measures, including communication boards and writing aids, were also implemented to create a more inclusive voting environment. These efforts aim to ensure that all citizens can exercise their voting rights effectively.
