Towards a Society Where Everyone Can Cast a Vote: Demonstration Experiment on a "Voter-Friendly Voting Environment" Through Voting Experience of People with Disabilities in Shinjuku Ward [Associate Professor Shiori Muraoka, Shimane Prefectural University]
Associate Professor Shiori Muraoka of Shimane Prefectural University and her team, as part of a JST-RISTEX research project, will conduct a demonstration experiment on a "voter-friendly voting environment" through the voting experience of people with disabilities in Shinjuku Ward on May 15, 2026. This experiment aims to alleviate voting barriers and seeks nationwide expansion.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 21:31 (9h 59m after Collected)
As part of the JST-RISTEX "Co-creative R&D Program for Achieving SDGs (Scenario Creation Phase)" research and development, we have been conducting research since October 2024, aiming to create a voter-friendly voting environment for all eligible voters.
In collaboration with the Shinjuku City Association for Persons with Disabilities and the Shinjuku City Parents' Association for Children with Disabilities, we will publicly conduct a "Voter-Friendly Voting" feasibility test targeting voters with disabilities on Friday, May 15. This test aims to verify the utility and implementability of voting under an environment combining proactive improvement measures and reasonable accommodations, based on voting barriers identified through previous experiential voting surveys. On the day of the event, we plan to recreate a polling station using actual voting equipment borrowed from Shinjuku Ward, and observe and investigate the series of processes within the polling station.
This project aims not only to reduce the voting burden on voters with disabilities but also to verify its compatibility with the administrative burden of local governments, striving to build a scenario for nationwide expansion.
We kindly ask for your attention and consideration regarding this initiative.
Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 13:30-15:00
*Individual interviews (around 14:00 onwards) after the experiential voting survey will be private.
Venue: Shinjuku City Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities, 2nd Floor, Meeting Room 1 (1-22-2 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Participants: 4 users of Shinjuku City Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities
Cooperation: Shinjuku City Association for Persons with Disabilities, Shinjuku City Parents' Association for Children with Disabilities,
Shinjuku City Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, Shinjuku City Election Commission, Komae City (Tokyo), Kyoto Sangyo University,
Accessible Design Foundation (Kyo-yohin Suishin Kiko), Shimane Prefectural University
Content:
*Assuming a mayoral election for the fictional municipality "Yume City"
*Prior distribution of election bulletins (standard version) and polling place admission tickets
*Prior provision of information-guaranteed election bulletins and voting preparation guides
*Conducting experiential voting set on election day
*Recreating a polling station using actual election equipment used in the district
*Conducting pre- and post-voting interview surveys (*private)
*If you wish to cover the event, please contact us in advance for smooth arrangements.
In collaboration with the Shinjuku City Association for Persons with Disabilities and the Shinjuku City Parents' Association for Children with Disabilities, we will publicly conduct a "Voter-Friendly Voting" feasibility test targeting voters with disabilities on Friday, May 15. This test aims to verify the utility and implementability of voting under an environment combining proactive improvement measures and reasonable accommodations, based on voting barriers identified through previous experiential voting surveys. On the day of the event, we plan to recreate a polling station using actual voting equipment borrowed from Shinjuku Ward, and observe and investigate the series of processes within the polling station.
This project aims not only to reduce the voting burden on voters with disabilities but also to verify its compatibility with the administrative burden of local governments, striving to build a scenario for nationwide expansion.
We kindly ask for your attention and consideration regarding this initiative.
Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 13:30-15:00
*Individual interviews (around 14:00 onwards) after the experiential voting survey will be private.
Venue: Shinjuku City Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities, 2nd Floor, Meeting Room 1 (1-22-2 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Participants: 4 users of Shinjuku City Welfare Center for Persons with Disabilities
Cooperation: Shinjuku City Association for Persons with Disabilities, Shinjuku City Parents' Association for Children with Disabilities,
Shinjuku City Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, Shinjuku City Election Commission, Komae City (Tokyo), Kyoto Sangyo University,
Accessible Design Foundation (Kyo-yohin Suishin Kiko), Shimane Prefectural University
Content:
*Assuming a mayoral election for the fictional municipality "Yume City"
*Prior distribution of election bulletins (standard version) and polling place admission tickets
*Prior provision of information-guaranteed election bulletins and voting preparation guides
*Conducting experiential voting set on election day
*Recreating a polling station using actual election equipment used in the district
*Conducting pre- and post-voting interview surveys (*private)
*If you wish to cover the event, please contact us in advance for smooth arrangements.