Report Title:

Vote recounts

 

Description:

Provides for an automatic recount of votes in close elections.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1317

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Relating to Elections.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§11- Automatic recount. (a) If the final tabulation of ballots of an election results in a candidate or question on the ballot prevailing or failing by a margin of less than per cent of the total votes cast, or in the event of a tie between two or more candidates in the initial tabulation, the results of that election shall be set aside and the elections officer shall order an immediate manual recount of the ballots for that election.

(b) The elections officer shall have three calendar days after the ballots are tabulated and the election results are determined to complete the manual recount.

(c) In the event of a failure of an election after the manual recount by reason of the equality of votes between two or more candidates, the provisions of section 11-157 shall control.

(d) An automatic recount shall not stay the time for election contests under sections 11-173.5 and 11-174.5 except in cases where the results of the automatic recount change the outcome of the election. In cases where the automatic recount changes the outcome of the election or question on ballot, the filing deadlines under sections 11-173.5 and 11-174.5 shall be extended by the chief elections officer. If the recount is for an election involving candidates, the candidates affected shall be notified in writing as to the length of the extension, and the notification shall be available to candidates and to the general public at the office of elections during normal working hours. No other public notice will be required. The extension shall be for a period not to exceed the time that elapsed between the completion of the original vote count and the completion of the automatic manual recount; provided that the extension shall be for a period of no fewer than two business days."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take place upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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