SWI and ACDL Meet with Newly Elected Maricopa County Recorder

February 23, 2017 Southwest Institute for Families and Children (SWI) and Arizona Center for Disability Law (ACDL) had the opportunity to meet with the newly elected Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes. Through a series of meet and greets throughout the county, Mr. Fontes provided background on himself, his vision for the office, and his take on some of the issues that have plagued the elections process in Maricopa.

During the question and answers session, George Garcia, Executive Director of SWI, asked how he planned to address some of the issues faced by people with disabilities who have had systemic problems with the voting process in the past. Mr. Fontes stated that his office must do better in training poll workers to assist those with disabilities, know how to use accessible voting machines, and do more to let the public know their rights and options available to ensure equal voter access. He also stated that he plans to create a disability advisory board that can work with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office to ensure they are doing everything possible to meet the needs of people with disabilities. SWI and ACDL have offered our assistance in working with the office to create such advisory board and are currently in talks with their staff.