President Donald Trump says voting changes are his number one priority, but concerns are running high that his plan could make it harder for people with disabilities to cast their ballots.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act, last month. The legislation is now being debated in the Senate.
Under the bill, individuals would have to produce what’s known as documentary proof of U.S. citizenship — such as a birth certificate or passport — in person in order to register to vote. Further, a government-issued photo ID would be required in order to vote and the legislation would also impose new requirements on voting by mail, which many people with disabilities utilize.
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Trump argues that the changes are necessary to prevent voter fraud. The measure faces long odds in the Senate, but Trump has indicated that he won’t sign any other legislation until the SAVE America Act is approved.
“THERE IS NOTHING THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE U.S.A.,” he posted Friday.
However, research suggests that instances of noncitizen voting are rare.
If the proposed changes are approved, they would create huge barriers for people with disabilities who research shows are already over three times more likely to experience voting difficulties, advocates say.
“The SAVE Act will further disenfranchise disabled voters,” said Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, referring to the bill by a previous name. “That is no small thing when disabled people make up roughly one sixth of the total voting age population.”
Town notes that many American citizens do not have a passport and an estimated 21.3 million eligible voters do not have proof of citizenship readily available. Research shows that 20% of people with disabilities do not have a current driver’s license.
Challenges related to cost, transportation, health issues, the accessibility of elections offices and more could impact whether people with disabilities are able to obtain appropriate documentation and meet the proposed requirements for registering and voting, Town said.
Traditionally, advocates hold voter registration drives at disability community events and even in congregate settings like nursing homes, but this would no longer be possible if the SAVE America Act passes, Town indicated.
Moreover, the proposed voting rules would impede on the fundamental rights of people with disabilities, said Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States.
“Mail voting and accessible voting technology aren’t conveniences for disabled voters,” she said. “They’re civil rights. When a bill makes it harder for disabled people to register, vote by mail or cast a ballot privately and independently, it pushes one of the nation’s largest voting blocs out of decisions that shape their health care, education, housing, transportation, employment and community living.”
