STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1362

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 321

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 321, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase participation in elections by facilitating voter registration.

 

     Specifically, this measure authorizes voter registration at absentee polling places notwithstanding the expiration of the regular voter registration deadline, which is thirty days prior to the election.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from three individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Women's Coalition.

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii has the lowest voter turnout rate in the nation.  This measure seeks to remove barriers to voting by providing a means for voter registration notwithstanding the close of the general county register.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Amending the provision allowing challenges to a voter's registration under this measure pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 11-25, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to include the procedures under that section for challenging registration prior to Election Day; and

 

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 321, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 321, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair