General Right to
Vote
Constitution:
(1947, updated 1994)
• Article 15 states: "(3) Universal adult suffrage is guaranteed
with regard to the election of public officials. (4) In all elections,
secrecy of the ballot shall not be violated."
Exclusion Based
on Mental Disability
Electoral Law:
(1996: Election System in Japan)
• Chapter 6, (3.0) states: "The following persons do note have
the right to vote…Correspondingly, persons denied the right to vote
as follows are not eligible for election: (3.1) Persons adjudged incompetent."
Voter Assistance
by Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(1996: Election System in Japan)
• Chapter 11 (8.0) states: "The elector, who cannot write by
himself the name of the candidate…can specify another to write the
ballot by applying to the superintendent of the poll beforehand. The system
of balloting by deputy was established…to enable certain persons
to exercise their rights of voting who cannot write unaided because of
physical handicap or illiteracy." The procedure for such balloting
follows.
Off-Site Voting
Alternatives
Electoral Law:
(1996: Election System in Japan)
• Chapter 11, (7.0) states: "The system of absentee balloting
has been established as an exception to the principle of balloting by
the elector himself at the polling station…for electors with serious
physical handicaps or illnesses."
• Chapter 11, (7.1) continues: "The elector, who cannot get
to the polling station to vote by himself on the day of the election for
one or more of the following reasons…can cast an absentee vote…(7.1.3)
Having restricted movement because of illness, injury, pregnancy, senility,
physical impediment, childbirth, or being in prison."
• Chapter 11, (7.2) states: "The physically handicapped elector
can cast an absentee ballot in writing, and the ballot paper can be sent
by mail to the chairman of the municipal election management committee,
in which the voter is registered, from the day of the official notice
or announcement of the election day (so called 'voting at home')."
Promotes Access
Electoral Law:
(1996: Election System in Japan)
• Chapter 11 (9.0) states: "The blind elector can cast a ballot
by using Braille points by informing the superintendent of his infirmity
beforehand."
