HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

413

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V, SECTION 2, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO REQUIRE THE GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE OF EACH POLITICAL PARTY TO SELECT THE PARTY'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NOMINEE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is one of only eight states in which the candidates for both governor and lieutenant governor are subject to joint general elections but separate primary elections.  The legislature believes that amending the Hawaii state constitution to require gubernatorial nominees to select their own running mates may create a greater sense of cohesion between the governor and lieutenant governor, with the lieutenant governor potentially serving as a source of guidance and support for the governor.  The legislature further believes that a more cohesive relationship between the two offices may enhance the productivity of the state government.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to article V, section 2, of the Hawaii State Constitution to require the gubernatorial nominee elected from each political party in a primary election to appoint a person from the same political party as a running mate for lieutenant governor in the general election.

     SECTION 2.  Article V, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

     Section 2.  There shall be a lieutenant governor who shall have the same qualifications as the governor.  The lieutenant governor shall be elected at the same time, for the same term [and in the same manner] as the governor; provided that following the primary election, the candidate of each political party for the office of governor shall appoint a person from the same political party as the candidate of that party for lieutenant governor; provided further that the votes cast in the general election for the nominee for governor shall be deemed cast for the nominee for lieutenant governor [of] from the same political party.  No person shall be elected to the office of lieutenant governor for more than two consecutive full terms.  The lieutenant governor shall perform such duties as may be provided by law."

     SECTION 3.  The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

     "Shall the nominee for lieutenant governor be appointed by a gubernatorial nominee, following the primary election, for the same term and from the same political party as the gubernatorial nominee, rather than be elected in a separate election?"

     SECTION 4.  Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New constitutional material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Constitutional Amendment; Lieutenant Governor; Appointment; Elections; Governor

 

Description:

Proposes an amendment to article V, section 2, of the Hawaii State Constitution to require that each gubernatorial nominee appoint a person from the same political party as a running mate for lieutenant governor in the general election.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.