State Sen. Wendy Rogers is backing a bill that would, if passed, ban use of mail-in ballots in elections.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez spoke to a joint session of the state Legislature on Wednesday.

Nez said if voting by mail is outlawed, the result would be hardship for tribal members with no easy access to polls.  

“Many of our elders and those living in remote communities (would) have to drive hundreds of miles and several hours to cast their ballots,” he said.

Rogers, a Republican, is sponsoring another bill that, if passed, would ban ballot drop boxes and most types of drive-through voting.

Nez told state lawmakers that elected officials should instead be making laws that expand access to voting.