In response to comments from people who are visually impaired and cannot see the frame for entering candidates' names when voting in elections, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, has created a clear file that makes it easier to understand the frame to be filled out by inserting a ballot, and uses it in the election.
Handmade clear files
This is a cut out part of a transparent A5 size clear file, and when you put the ballot inside, there is a frame where you can write the name of the candidate exactly in the cut part.
In addition, a black frame is added with paper along the cut part, so that you can see the part to be filled in even if you touch it with your hand.
The impetus for creating this file was five years ago, when the Election Commission held a visiting lecture for the visually impaired, and a participant asked if it was difficult to write the names of candidates in the box.
The person in charge at that time handmade the prototype, and after repeated consultation with disabled people's groups, the completed prototype was deployed at polling stations from the municipal election in Heisei 5.
Prepare the environment even for a small number of people
Teruhiko Hamagami, who was in charge of the Election Commission Secretariat at the time, said, "I thought it was the role of the Election Committee to create an environment where it was easy for people to vote, even if it was for a small number of people.
I was happy to write it myself
The person who conveyed the request to the city's election committee was Miyuki Kaneji, 70, who said that she had gradually become blind for about 10 years, and it was difficult to see the frame for filling in the candidates.
I used to use "proxy voting" to have the person in charge of the election committee fill it out for me when voting, but I was worried that people would hear me when I verbally confirmed the candidate I wanted to vote for with the person in charge, so I wanted to fill it out myself.
Mr. Kaneji actually voted using the clear file and said, "I had a strong desire to write by myself because I can write by myself, and I was happy when I was able to fill in the candidate's name."
According to Mr. Kaneji, many people who have gradually become visually impaired are not good at Braille and want to fill in the form themselves.