THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

854

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  The office of elections shall develop and implement a statewide voting modernization program that shall:

     (1)  Apply to all elections, as that term is defined in section 11-302, Hawaii Revised Statutes, held in the State beginning in 2016;

     (2)  Require all registered voters to vote by mail;

     (3)  Provide for limited voting at polling places and election day registration pursuant to subsections (b) and (c); and

     (4)  Provide voter education materials relating to the program.

     (b)  In implementing the program, the office of elections shall make a sufficient number of polling places available:

     (1)  For voters who the office of elections determines are unable to vote by mail because of the lack of a permanent mailing address or any other reason that the office of elections deems appropriate;

     (2)  To accommodate election day voter registration and voting pursuant to subsection (c); and

     (3)  To receive ballots deposited by voters in lieu of mail delivery.

     (c)  In implementing the program, the office of elections shall ensure that each individual who is eligible to vote may register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place designated by the office of elections, completing an affidavit on application for voter registration, and providing proof of identity and residence in the form and manner prescribed by the office of elections.

     SECTION 2.  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2014 regular session, the office of elections shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

     (1)  The current status of implementation of the voting modernization program;

     (2)  A brief description of any operational problems or legal impediments that have affected or are anticipated to affect implementation of the program; and

     (3)  Any proposed legislation to implement the program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the voting modernization program required by this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Elections; Vote by Mail; Election Day Registration; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the office of elections to implement a program allowing voters to register to vote on election day and requiring voters to vote by mail for all elections beginning in 2016, with certain exceptions.  Makes an appropriation for the voting modernization program.  Effective 07/01/50.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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