Bill Text: HI HB1678 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Elections.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-01-30 - The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1678 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1678-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1678
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to elections.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that young people are passionate about political issues and often want to engage in the political process, but they face barriers to participation. College students are particularly transient thereby making it a struggle to update their voter registration, and they may also be less likely to have a driver’s license or other acceptable form of voter identification.  Further, because voter engagement is vital to a robust democratic and representative form of government, the legislature finds that providing greater opportunities for young people to vote is a matter of statewide concern pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution and that college campuses are well-positioned to promote and increase the engagement of young people in elections.

     The purpose of this Act is to require public institutions of higher learning to expand voting registration access and opportunities for young people to improve election participation.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-    University of Hawaii; voter registration agency.  Each campus within the university of Hawaii system shall serve as a voter registration agency as defined in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993."  

     SECTION 3.  Section 11-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§11-2  Chief election officer; duties.  (a)  The chief election officer shall supervise all state elections.  The chief election officer may delegate responsibilities in state elections within a county to the clerk of that county or to other specified persons.

     (b)  The chief election officer shall be responsible for the maximization of registration of eligible electors throughout the State.  In maximizing registration, the chief election officer shall make an effort to equalize registration between districts, with particular effort in those districts in which the chief election officer determines registration is lower than desirable.  The chief election officer, in carrying out this function, may make surveys, carry on house-to-house canvassing, and assist or direct the clerk in any other area of registration.

     (c)  The chief election officer shall maintain data concerning registered voters, elections, apportionment, and districting.  The chief election officer shall use this data to assist the reapportionment commission provided for under Article IV of the Constitution.

     (d)  The chief election officer shall collect and maintain data concerning voter registration and election participation to study voter registration, absentee voting, and provisional voting trends by age, race, and class to inform future efforts to improve youth involvement in elections.

     [(d)] (e)  The chief election officer shall be responsible for public education with respect to voter registration and information.

     [(e)] (f)  The chief election officer shall adopt rules governing elections in accordance with chapter 91."

     SECTION 4.  Section 11-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Any person qualified to and desiring to register as a voter in any county shall make and subscribe to an application in the form of an affidavit.

     The affidavit shall contain the following information:

     (1)  Name;

         (2)  The applicant's Hawaii driver's license number [or], Hawaii state identification card number; student identification card number issued by the university of Hawaii system; or a copy of a student identification card containing a photograph of the person issued by any college or university located in any other state or territory in the United States; provided that:

          (A)  If no driver's license [or], identification card, or student identification card has been issued to the applicant, the last four digits of the applicant's social security number; and

          (B)  If no social security number has been issued to the applicant, an election official or county clerk shall assign the applicant a unique identification number for voter registration purposes and enroll the applicant in the State's computerized voter registration list, if any;

     (3)  Date of birth;

     (4)  Residence, including mailing address;

     (5)  That the residence stated in the affidavit is not simply because of the person's presence in the State, but that the residence was acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the person's legal residence with all the accompanying obligations therein;

     (6)  That the person is a citizen; and

     (7)  A statement, if the applicant is unable to read standard print due to disability, acknowledging that fact and requesting an electronic ballot be sent to the applicant's email address."

     SECTION 5.  Section 11-109, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Voter service centers shall be established by the clerks to service the particular needs of each county's voters[.]; provided that each university of Hawaii system campus shall be a voter service center."

     SECTION 6.  The office of elections shall amend section 3-177-550, Hawaii Administrative Rules, and other provisions of its rules, as necessary, to authorize a voter service center clerk to verify a voter's identity upon production of:

     (1)  Any valid student identification card issued by the university of Hawaii system; or

     (2)  Any valid student identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by any college or university located in any other state or territory of the United States.

     SECTION 7.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Elections; University of Hawaii; National Voter Registration Act; Voter Registration Agency; Voter Service Center; Chief Election Officer; Voting Data; Student Identification Card

 

Description:

Designates all University of Hawaii system campuses as voter registration agencies as defined in the National Voter Registration Act.  Requires the Chief Election Officer to use data concerning voter registration and election participation to study voter registration, absentee voting, and provisional voting trends by age, race, and class to improve youth voter registration and election participation.  Allows student identification cards issued by the University of Hawaii system to be used to register to vote.  Designates all University of Hawaii campuses as voter service centers.

 

 

 

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