SAVE America Act could make voting difficult for those with disabilities

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act on February 11, 2026. Jon Meyers, Executive Director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how the Act could impact voters with disabilities.

Meyers said the act would require people to register to vote in person. This is something that could be a challenge or impossible for people with disabilities.

Voters would also be required to show a passport, ID, or driver’s license to vote. These are documents that people with disabilities may not be able to access or readily obtain. Meyers said not all polling locations have ideal access for people with mobility issues, sight or hearing impairments.

“The disability community is already at a disadvantage when it comes to elections and voting opportunities,” Meyers said, “…we absolutely do not want to see them further disadvantaged.”

Many people with disabilities often have transportation issues and issues with having access to the kinds of identification that the SAVE America Act would require. Meyers explained how this act would make things harder by adding more barriers for people with disabilities, beyond what they already face.

“It is literally going to disenfranchise tens of thousands of Arizonans,” Meyers discussed, “…and millions of Americans.”

According to Meyers, the disability community has reached out to elected officials throughout the process to try to educate them on the needs of individuals with disabilities. The bill has been passed in the House, but is currently stalled in the Senate.

“If this legislation is even going to pass at all,” Meyers said, “…it has to pass significant changes that take into account the impact it’s going to have on people with disabilities.”

Meyers explained that the overwhelming majority of the disability community uses the vote-by-mail method, as it is very popular in Arizona. Many use the vote-by-mail method for many reasons, including geography and access to polling places.

“…also because of the climate in Arizona,” Meyers discussed, “…forcing people with disabilities to go to a polling place puts their health and well-being in danger.”