Hobbs Vetoes Bills Aimed At Protecting Military Members And Disabled Persons’ Voting Rights

Governor Katie Hobbs is racking up the vetoes and her latest victim is HB 2393, a bill sponsored by State Representative Alex Kolodin aimed at safeguarding the voting rights of disabled individuals and members of the uniformed services or citizens residing overseas during Arizona’s Presidential Preference Election (PPE) when administered by a state political party.

Political parties may choose to opt out of participating in the publicly administered PPE, conduct one independently, or simply choose to not have one, which is common when an incumbent President seeks re-election. However, there is no explicit law requiring them to make accommodations for military and disabled voters.

House Bill 2393 sought to address this gap by explicitly stating that political parties have the option to opt out of the publicly administered PPE. More importantly, it mandated that if a party decides to conduct the election independently, it must ensure that voters with disabilities and those protected under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) are provided with the necessary means to participate.

“Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this bill is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Representative Kolodin. “This action leaves a critical aspect of our state law ambiguous, failing to secure the voting rights of individuals with disabilities and our dedicated servicemembers. At a time when ensuring access to the democratic process should be of utmost importance, this veto represents a significant step backward. It’s as if the Governor believes maintaining a murky legal landscape is preferable to granting clear and equitable voting rights to all Arizonans. This isn’t just about policy – it’s about ensuring every voice is heard and valued in our democracy.”