Trump-backed SAVE America Act could spell trouble for voters with disabilities

The SAVE America Act, backed by President Donald Trump, is at a stalemate, awaiting the 60 Senate votes needed for its passage.

Disability advocates said the bills "show your papers" requirements could mean hundreds of thousands of Arizonans would have a harder time voting.

"The vast number of people living with disabilities would be disenfranchised with the passage of the SAVE Act," Jon Meyers, executive director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council said in an interview with KJZZ.

In its current state, the election bill would mean voters will no longer be eligible to vote with only a driver's license.

Mail-in voting and online registration would also take a hit, as the bill seeks to curtail these practices.

Proponents argue these features would enhance election security. But, Meyers said the notion that voting systems are riddled with fraud, like voting by mail, is unsupported.

"The kinds of things that are in place right now provide that level of security," Meyers said. "The SAVE Act is a solution in search of a problem, rather than the other way around."

Voting by mail incentivizes higher turnout. In 2020, individuals with disabilities who voted increased to 62%, 6 points more than 2016. The majority cast their ballots by mail.