Hawaii-2010-HB1685-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that citizen participation in elections is vital to the health and well-being of a democratic and representative form of government. When the citizenry opts out of its responsibility to vote, public confidence and support of government is undermined, as is the government's effectiveness in serving the people of the state.

In 2008, Hawaii had the lowest voter turnout in the United States, with 50.6 per cent of eligible voters voting. Low voter turnout is a significant concern that must be addressed. To combat voter apathy, efforts to increase the percentage of voting age citizens who are registered and to simplify the voting process must be implemented.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to study and make recommendations on expanding voter registration methods and requiring mail-in ballots.

SECTION 2. There is established within the office of elections a voter registration and participation task force that shall consist of the following members:

(1) The chief election officer, as chair;

(2) A representative of the governor, designated by the governor;

(3) A representative of the mayor of each county, designated by the respective mayor;

(4) The county clerk of each county or the county clerk's designee;

(5) A representative from each political party as defined pursuant to section 11-61, designated by the respective party;

(6) A representative from the League of Women Voters, designated by the league;

(7) A member of the senate appointed by the senate president; and

(8) A member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

SECTION 3. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of official duties, if funds are available.

SECTION 4. The office of elections shall provide all necessary administrative and staff support for the task force.

SECTION 5. The voter registration and participation task force shall study improvements to voter registration and the voting process that include:

(1) Creating voter registration centers on college and university campuses;

(2) Developing on-line voter registration sites for initial registration and subsequent changes to registration information;

(3) Allowing registration anytime, up to and including election day;

(4) Registering eligible voters automatically at the time of driver's license application or renewal; and

(5) Requiring that all votes be cast by mail-in ballot.

SECTION 6. The voter registration and participation task force shall submit a report on the task force's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

SECTION 7. The voter registration and participation task force shall cease to exist on June 1, 2010.

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

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1685
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII