Report Title:

September; Voter Education Month

Description:

Declares every September as voter education month.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1683

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to voter education month.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that voter apathy, and lack of voter knowledge, distrust of public officials, and cynicism about government generally have affected voting among the citizens of this State. Statistics show that adult voter registration numbers have increased because registration has been made easier, but voter turnout has decreased over the years. For example, statewide, the number of registered voters and turnout percentage for the primary election and general election respectively showed the following:

1959 Primary Election:

Registered voters: 174,335;

Voter turnout: 84.4 per cent

1959 General Election:

Registered voters: 183,118

Voter turnout: 93.6 per cent

2000 Primary Election:

Registered voters: 262,487

Voter turnout: 39.9 per cent

2000 General Election:

Registered voters: 637,349

Voter turnout: 58.2 per cent

Even considering the population increase during the intervening four decades, a forty per cent voter turnout of registered voters has serious implications for the representative nature of our elected officials. There continue to be invalid ballots cast in the primary elections because of cross party or multiparty voting. While the office of elections reported that only about 1.5 per cent of ballots cast fell into this category in the 2000 primary, the State should aspire to ensure that every vote counts. One of the reasons for invalidated ballots may be due to unfamiliarity with the purpose and function of the single party system used in the primary election. Voter education may help to solve this problem.

The legislature is concerned that our younger voters also show little interest in governmental processes. Although statewide voter registration of high school students is available, in 2000, only three hundred seventy-nine students eighteen years old and older registered to vote. This may be partly due to the fact that there is no official or formal program of voter education being taught to our youngsters in the public schools. A civics class for students in high school could cover the three branches of government, the different levels of government, and bring the election process into the context of real life problems. Again, education and information are needed to broaden the knowledge of high school and younger students.

The Hawaii state primary election day is in September. Legislators participate in a "back to school week" during the third week of September. National KIDS VOTING week is the fourth week of September. These efforts all point to ways to educate the electorate about issues, candidates, and the voting process. A strong election awareness program, different activities involving elected officials, hands-on use of voting machines, and other kinds of election projects can be undertaken during the entire month of September so that more citizens can register to vote and voters will turn out with an informed mindset.

The purpose of this Act is to promote this effort by statutorily declaring the month of September to be voter education month.

SECTION 2. Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§8- Voter education month. Each year, the month of September shall be designated as "Voter Education Month.""

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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