2024-05-152023/24:KU12 · p.6KUConstitution
Voters with Visual Impairment or Other Disabilities
Voting aids for voters with visual impairment
What's at stake: The question concerns the ability of people with visual impairment or other disabilities to vote independently while preserving ballot secrecy. It concerns whether an aid-development project that was started and then discontinued should be resumed quickly or wait for broader reform work already under way.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
At issue is whether the government should immediately direct the relevant authorities to resume a discontinued project developing voting aids for visually impaired voters, or whether the matter should await the ongoing review of the ballot-paper system and recently circulated proposals on voter assistance.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee points to a committee already tasked with analysing how a system of common or neutral ballot papers would affect the ability of, among others, visually impaired voters to vote on equal terms, and notes that a memorandum on voter assistance has recently been circulated for consultation. On that basis, the committee is not prepared to propose a separate initiative to resume the aid-development project, and the motions are rejected.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S, V)
The reservation (S, V) calls for the government to promptly direct the relevant authorities to resume a discontinued project to further develop aids for visually impaired voters, so that they can again vote independently while preserving ballot secrecy.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S, V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 16/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Abstain 0/0/61/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2023/24:127 by Eric Palmqvist (SD), 2023/24:440 by Jessica Wetterling et al. (V) call 7, 2023/24:471 by Matheus Enholm et al. (SD) call 9, 2023/24:849 by Larry Söder (KD) and 2023/24:1597 by Karin Sundin (S).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2023/24:127 av Eric Palmqvist (SD), 2023/24:440 av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V) yrkande 7, 2023/24:471 av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD) yrkande 9, 2023/24:849 av Larry Söder (KD) och 2023/24:1597 av Karin Sundin (S).
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag directs a formal request (tillkännagivande) to the government to investigate a matter concerning eligibility for office and population registration. The Riksdag believes that it should not be possible for a person who has run as a candidate in multiple municipalities to change his or her population registration on or in connection with election day for the purpose of becoming eligible and elected. The formal request was made in connection with the treatment of about 40 proposals in motions on electoral questions from the general motion period 2023. The Riksdag said no to other proposals, which among other things deal with the ballot paper system, voters with visual impairment or other disabilities, and incident reporting.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the project to develop aids for persons with visual impairment to vote with ballot secrecy to be resumed. (S, V) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan establishes that anyone with a disability shall be able to participate on the same terms as everyone else, and explicitly mentions exercising the right to vote.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that anyone with a disability shall be able to participate on the same terms as everyone else, and explicitly mentions exercising the right to vote. Lack of accessibility and adaptation are described as a cause of exclusion, and the disability perspective must be part of all policy areas. Swiftly resuming the assistive technology project for independent voting with maintained ballot secrecy follows directly from that.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att den som har en funktionsnedsättning ska kunna vara delaktig på samma villkor som alla andra, och nämner uttryckligen att använda sin rösträtt. Bristande tillgänglighet och anpassning beskrivs som en orsak till utestängning, och funktionshinderperspektivet ska finnas med i alla politikområden. Att snabbt återuppta hjälpmedelsprojektet för självständig röstning med bibehållen valhemlighet följer direkt av det.
- participation including the right to votedecisive»i ett fotbollslag och använda sin rösträtt till att ta en fika på stan.« (party programme ↗)“in a football team and exercise the right to vote on a trip to a café.”
- lack of accessibility excludes»och anpassning leder fortfarande till fattigdom och utestängning.« (party programme ↗)“and adaptation still lead to poverty and exclusion.”
- accessible society»Vi vill skapa ett mer inkluderande samhälle genom att stärka välfärden« (party programme ↗)“We want to create a more inclusive society by strengthening welfare”
- disability perspective everywhere»ska finnas med i alla politikområden.« (party programme ↗)“must be part of all policy areas.”
The party programme establishes that democratic freedoms must not be confined to certain groups and that all have equal rights to influence society's development, and that people regardless of functional ability shall be able to lead an active life.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that democratic freedoms must not be confined to certain groups and that all have equal rights to influence society's development, and that people regardless of functional ability shall be able to lead an active life. The election manifesto promises that persons with disabilities shall be able to live their lives like others. Quickly resuming work on aids for independent voting follows from this.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att de demokratiska friheterna inte får vara förbehållna vissa grupper och att alla har lika rätt att påverka samhällets utveckling, samt att människor oavsett funktionsförmåga ska kunna leva ett aktivt liv. Valmanifestet lovar att personer med funktionsnedsättning ska kunna leva sitt liv som andra. Att snabbt återuppta arbetet med hjälpmedel för självständig röstning följer av detta.
- equal right to vote and influencedecisive»Alla har lika rätt att påverka samhällets utveckling.« (party programme ↗)“All have equal right to influence society's development.”
- participation regardless of functional ability»funktionsförmåga, har rätt till arbete, eget boende, full rörelsefrihet och ett aktivt liv.« (party programme ↗)“functional ability, has the right to work, independent living, full freedom of movement and an active life.”
- live like others»Personer med funktionsnedsättning ska kunna leva sitt liv som andra.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Persons with disabilities shall be able to live their lives like others.”
- trustworthy election process»Den demokratiska processen och samhällsförvaltningen måste bygga på offentlighet och« (party programme ↗)“The democratic process and public administration must be built on openness and”
The plan establishes that people with disabilities should have the same opportunity to participate in society as others and that lack of accessibility in itself is a form of discrimination.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that people with disabilities should have the same opportunity to participate in society as others and that lack of accessibility in itself is a form of discrimination. Being able to vote independently while maintaining ballot secrecy is the heart of democratic participation, and aids that make this possible follow directly from the plan's accessibility requirements. The plan also emphasizes participatory democracy where everyone should be able to take part.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att människor med funktionsnedsättningar ska ha samma möjlighet att delta i samhället som andra och att bristande tillgänglighet i sig är en form av diskriminering. Att kunna rösta självständigt med bibehållen valhemlighet är kärnan i det demokratiska deltagandet, och hjälpmedel som möjliggör det följer direkt av planens tillgänglighetskrav. Planen betonar också en deltagande demokrati där alla ska kunna vara med.
- equal democratic participationdecisive»Människor med funktionsnedsättningar ska ha samma möjlighet att delta i samhället som andra.« (party programme ↗)“People with disabilities should have the same opportunity to participate in society as others.”
- inaccessibility is discrimination»Bristande tillgänglighet är i sig en typ av diskriminering och måste därför bli en ny diskrimineringsgrund.« (party programme ↗)“Lack of accessibility is in itself a form of discrimination and must therefore become a new ground for discrimination.”
- equal rights regardless of disability»Alla människor, oavsett funktionsnedsättning eller förmågor, ska ha lika rättigheter, möjligheter och skyldigheter.« (party programme ↗)“All people, regardless of disability or abilities, should have equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities.”
- participatory democracy»Vi tror på en demokrati med aktiva och delaktiga medborgare.« (party programme ↗)“We believe in a democracy with active and participatory citizens.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan demands a Sweden where no one is disadvantaged due to disability and a daily life with full accessibility.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands a Sweden where no one is disadvantaged due to disability and a daily life with full accessibility. An aid that allows people with visual impairment to vote independently with maintained ballot secrecy is a direct application of that commitment to the most fundamental democratic right. The plan also establishes that liberal democracy shall be nurtured and further developed, which supports not deferring the measure.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ett Sverige där ingen missgynnas på grund av funktionsnedsättning och en vardag med full tillgänglighet. Ett hjälpmedel som låter personer med synnedsättning rösta självständigt med bibehållen valhemlighet är en direkt tillämpning av det åtagandet på den mest grundläggande demokratiska rättigheten. Planen slår också fast att den liberala demokratin ska vårdas och vidareutvecklas, vilket talar för att inte skjuta upp åtgärden.
- full accessibilitydecisive»Tillgängligheten är avgörande för människor med olika funktionsnedsättningar.« (party programme ↗)“Accessibility is decisive for people with different disabilities.”
- no one shall be disadvantaged»Vi måste fortsätta arbetet för ett Sverige där ingen missgynnas på grund av kön, härkomst eller funktionsnedsättning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We must continue the work for a Sweden where no one is disadvantaged due to sex, origin or disability”
- further develop democracy»Den liberala demokratin får aldrig tas för given. Den ska vårdas, värnas och vidareutvecklas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Liberal democracy must never be taken for granted. It shall be nurtured, cherished and further developed”
- work against discrimination»Mer måste göras mot diskriminering.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More must be done against discrimination.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that Sweden shall be an accessible country and that lack of accessibility shall be seen as discrimination, which bears the requirement for aids that make it possible for visually impaired people to vote independently with maintained ballot secrecy.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that Sweden shall be an accessible country and that lack of accessibility shall be seen as discrimination, which bears the requirement for aids that make it possible for visually impaired people to vote independently with maintained ballot secrecy. The goal is that a disability shall, so far as possible, not prevent an independent life, and access to aids is highlighted as a prerequisite for participation. Voting aids are however not mentioned specifically, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige ska vara ett tillgängligt land och att bristande tillgänglighet ska ses som diskriminering, vilket bär kravet på hjälpmedel som gör det möjligt för synskadade att rösta självständigt med bibehållen valhemlighet. Målet är att en funktionsnedsättning så långt som möjligt inte ska hindra ett självständigt liv, och tillgången till hjälpmedel lyfts fram som en förutsättning för delaktighet. Just valhjälpmedel nämns dock inte, så slutsatsen är härledd.
- inaccessibility is discriminationdecisive»Bristande tillgänglighet ska ses som diskriminering.« (party programme ↗)“Lack of accessibility shall be seen as discrimination.”
- accessible society»Sverige ska vara ett tillgängligt land. Den offentliga miljön, inklusive kollektivtrafiken, ska vara tillgänglig.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be an accessible country. The public environment, including public transport, shall be accessible.”
- independent life»Målet är att funktionsnedsättningen så långt som möjligt inte ska hindra individen från att leva ett självständigt liv och utveckla sina unika förmågor.« (party programme ↗)“The goal is that the disability shall, so far as possible, not prevent the individual from living an independent life and developing their unique abilities.”
- aids as a prerequisite»En väl fungerande habilitering och tillgång till hjälpmedel är i många fall en förutsättning för möjligheten till arbete och utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Well-functioning rehabilitation and access to aids are in many cases a prerequisite for the possibility of work and education.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that it should be self-evident that public institutions and information systems are designed with high accessibility requirements, and that compensatory measures that reduce the significance of disability are necessary.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that it should be self-evident that public institutions and information systems are designed with high accessibility requirements, and that compensatory measures that reduce the significance of disability are necessary. Ballot secrecy shall be protected, which for a visually impaired voter presupposes aids that make it possible to vote independently. Self-determination in disability is one of the manifesto's identified areas.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att det ska vara självklart att offentliga inrättningar och informationssystem utformas med höga krav på tillgänglighet, och att kompensatoriska insatser som minskar funktionsnedsättningens betydelse är nödvändiga. Valhemligheten ska skyddas, vilket för en synskadad väljare förutsätter hjälpmedel som gör det möjligt att rösta självständigt. Självbestämmande vid funktionsnedsättning är ett av manifestets utpekade områden.
- high accessibility in public systemsdecisive»Ett annat viktigt sätt att minska funktionsnedsättningens betydelse är att öka tillgängligheten i samhället. Det ska vara självklart att offentliga inrättningar, anläggningar och informationssystem utformas med höga krav på tillgänglighet.« (party programme ↗)“Another important way to reduce the significance of disability is to increase accessibility in society. It should be self-evident that public institutions, facilities and information systems are designed with high accessibility requirements.”
- protected ballot secrecy»Valhemligheten ska skyddas.« (party programme ↗)“Ballot secrecy shall be protected.”
- compensatory measures necessary»Även insatser som är kompensatoriska minskar betydelsen av funktionsnedsättningen och är därför nödvändiga.« (party programme ↗)“Compensatory measures also reduce the significance of disability and are therefore necessary.”
- self-determination in disability»SJÄLVBESTÄMMANDE VID FUNKTIONSNEDSÄTTNING« (2022 manifesto ↗)“SELF-DETERMINATION IN DISABILITY”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that democracy's foundations need to be strengthened and that the Constitution's freedoms and rights must provide practical and effective protection for the individual, not just fine words.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that democracy's foundations need to be strengthened and that the Constitution's freedoms and rights must provide practical and effective protection for the individual, not just fine words. To quickly resume development of aids that allow visually impaired people to vote independently with maintained voting secrecy is a concrete expression of this. The plan does not address the matter, so support is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att demokratins grundvalar behöver stärkas och att grundlagens fri- och rättigheter måste ge ett praktiskt och effektivt skydd för den enskilde, inte bara vackra ord. Att skyndsamt återuppta utvecklingen av hjälpmedel som låter synskadade rösta självständigt med bibehållen valhemlighet är ett konkret uttryck för det. Planen nämner inte frågan, varför stödet är härlett.
- practical rights protectiondecisive»Vi måste se till att det inte bara är vackra ord, utan att grundlagen också ger ett praktiskt och effektivt skydd för enskilda människor i relation till exempelvis en kommun eller en statlig myndighet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We must ensure that it is not just fine words, but that the Constitution also provides practical and effective protection for individuals in relation to, for example, a municipality or a state authority.”
- strengthened democratic foundations»Demokratins grundvalar behöver stärkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Democracy's foundations need to be strengthened.”
- free and secret elections»Medborgarna ska utse sina politiska representanter« (party programme ↗)“Citizens shall elect their political representatives”
- clear freedoms and rights»Vår svenska grundlag ska ha en tydlig katalog av fri- och rättigheter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our Swedish Constitution shall have a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to strengthen the Swedish electoral system so that general elections can be conducted in a reliable manner, and bases its view of democracy on universal and equal suffrage in free and secret elections.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to strengthen the Swedish electoral system so that general elections can be conducted in a reliable manner, and bases its view of democracy on universal and equal suffrage in free and secret elections. Quickly resuming the development of aids that allow the blind to vote independently while preserving voting secrecy follows from that, as does the commitment that disabilities shall not limit access to civic life.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill stärka det svenska valsystemet så att allmänna val kan genomföras på ett tillförlitligt sätt, och bygger demokratisynen på allmän och lika rösträtt i fria och hemliga val. Att snabbt återuppta utvecklingen av hjälpmedel som låter synskadade rösta självständigt med bevarad valhemlighet följer av det, liksom av åtagandet att funktionsnedsättning inte ska begränsa tillgången till samhällslivet.
- reliable electionsdecisive»Det svenska valsystemet bör stärkas för att garantera att allmänna val kan genomföras på ett tillförlitligt sätt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Swedish electoral system should be strengthened to guarantee that general elections can be conducted in a reliable manner.”
- universal and equal suffrage»allmän och lika rösträtt för medborgare skall råda« (party programme ↗)“universal and equal suffrage for citizens shall apply”
- full participation with disabilities»Medborgare som på grund av omständigheter bortom egen kontroll möter andra utmaningar i vardagen ska inte begränsas i sin tillgång till samhälls- eller arbetslivet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Citizens who because of circumstances beyond their control face other challenges in everyday life shall not be limited in their access to civic or working life.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:KU12)
- Committee report full text (HB01KU12)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1 — Skärpning av lagstiftningen angående valbarhet i kommunval av Robert Stenkvist (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1047 — Opinionsundersökning nära val av Adnan Dibrani (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1092 — Svenskar i utlandet av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1119 — Rösträttens koppling till medborgarskap av Jan Ericson (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1188 — Tilliten till valresultat vital för demokratin av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2023/24:127 — Synskadade och valsystemet av Eric Palmqvist (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1305 — Förändring av vallagen av Joakim Sandell (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1523 — Sänkt rösträttsålder av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:1597 — Synskadades rätt att rösta med bevarad valhemlighet av Karin Sundin (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1636 — Det svenska valsystemet av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1671 — Stärkt demokrati av Alexandra Völker och Azadeh Rojhan (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1730 — Enklare för utlandssvenskar att rösta av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2023/24:175 — Skilda valdagar av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:206 — Digital signering för politisk kandidatur av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:2135 — Ändrad spärrnivå vid val till kommunfullmäktige av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2490 — Demokrati och konstitution av Malin Björk m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:440 — Demokrati, integritet och transparens av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2023/24:471 — Några valfrågor av Matheus Enholm m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:503 — Möjligheternas Stockholm av Malin Danielsson m.fl. (L)
- Motion 2023/24:505 — Avskaffade spärrar för personval av Robert Hannah (L)
Source: The Swedish Parliament