HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1476
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
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 part VIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-     Digital voter information guide.  (a)  The office of elections shall prepare, and post on its website, a digital voter information guide.  The digital voter information guide shall be posted on the office of election's website in a screen reader-accessible format for voters with special needs who are unable to read standard print due to disability.  The office of elections shall provide a translation of the digital voter information guide in Olelo Hawaii on its website.  The office of elections shall print and mail a physical copy of the digital voter information guide to any voter upon request.  The digital voter information guide shall include:

     (1)  A photograph and short statement of less than one hundred fifty words for each candidate running for public office, to be prepared by the candidate; provided that the office of elections may uniformly limit the number of words for the candidate statement by applicable public office;

     (2)  A clear and concise explanation drafted by the department of the attorney general of each state constitutional amendment that will be proposed to voters in the next general election; and

     (3)  A clear and concise explanation, drafted by the appropriate county corporation counsel, for each proposed county charter amendment, proposed initiative, and proposed referendum issue.

     (b)  The office of elections shall prepare and mail with each ballot for a primary election a notice to voters that a digital voter information guide is available on the office of elections website.  The notice shall be sent by email to all voters with special needs who have registered to receive alternate format ballots.

     (c)  Information made available over the Internet pursuant to this section shall meet or exceed the most current, ratified standards under section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 adopted by the World Wide Consortium for accessibility."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the office of elections to prepare and mail a notice to voters that a digital voter information guide may be found on the office of elections website.

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

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Digital Voter Information Guide; Ballot; Office of Elections; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Office of Elections to prepare a digital voter information guide.  Requires the Office of Elections to post the guide on its website in compliance with certain accessibility standards.  Requires the Office of Elections to mail each ballot with a notice that states a voter information guide may be found on its website.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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