O'Halleran Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Group on Legislation to Improve Ballot Access for Voters with Disabilities

Statement

Yesterday, Representatives Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands) reintroduced the PAVA Program Inclusion Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation to ensure all voters with disabilities--regardless of geographic location--can fully participate in the electoral process.

"Our democracy is stronger when all our voices are heard, but far too many Americans with disabilities--especially those living in rural and tribal areas--encounter barriers when accessing the ballot box," said Rep. O'Halleran. "As the representative for the congressional district with the largest population of Native Americans, who, more often than not, travel long distances to reach a voting location, I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important bill that ensures voters with disabilities have their voices heard."

"Voters with disabilities are no less entitled to exercising their right to participate in our democracy than any other American," said Rep. Gallego. "No matter where they live, disabled Americans should be able to get to the polls and make their voice heard. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the PAVA Inclusion Act to ensure that voters with disabilities residing in some of the most rural parts of Indian Country in Arizona especially have equal access the ballot. When I originally introduced this legislation, I said this legislative fix is long overdue. That's even more true today, and I look forward to it finally becoming law."

Enacted as part of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program funds activities aimed at increasing access to the polls for voters facing mobility and other challenges, including disability training for poll workers, maintaining voting hotlines, and examining polling places for accessibility. However, the original legislation erroneously left out funding for programs serving the Northern Mariana Islands and the four corners area of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, made up mostly of Tribal land. The PAVA Inclusion Act fixes this oversight and improves access to the ballot for voters with disabilities in the Northern Mariana Islands as well as the four corners region.

The Senate version of the bill, led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ranking Member Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), was introduced and passed in the Senate this week.

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI), Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN), and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

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