Bill Text: HI SB1271 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Proposing An Amendment To Article Ii, Section 1, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Change The Age Qualification For Voting In State Or Local Elections.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB1271 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB1271-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1271 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
proposing an amendment to article ii, section 1, of the hawaii state constitution to change the age qualification for voting IN STATE OR LOCAL ELECTIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the age qualification to vote in any federal, state, or local election is eighteen years of age. However, there are individuals whose dates of birth fall between the primary and general elections and therefore, due to current age restrictions, are unable to participate in state and local primary elections, which determine the ballot for the general election in which they will later be eligible to vote. Granting voting rights to these individuals to participate in the voting process for state and local elections may improve voter turnout among youths and better educate youths about the democratic process.
The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to article II, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution to change the age qualification for voting in certain state or local primary elections to include individuals who are seventeen years of age but will be eighteen years of age on or before the next state or local general election.
SECTION 2. Article II, section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
"QUALIFICATIONS
Section 1. Every citizen of the United
States who shall have attained the age of eighteen years, have been a resident
of this State not less than one year next preceding the election and be a voter
registered as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in any state or local
election[.]; provided that every citizen of the United States who is
seventeen years of age but will attain the age of eighteen years by the date of
the next state or local general election, has been a resident of this State not
less than one year immediately preceding the next state or local general
election and is a voter registered as provided by law, shall be qualified to
vote beginning with the state or local primary election immediately preceding
the state or local general election by which the citizen will attain the age of
eighteen years."
SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall a United States citizen who is seventeen years of age but will attain the age of eighteen years by the date of the next state or local general election, has been a resident of this State not less than one year immediately preceding the next state or local general election, and is a voter registered as provided by law, be qualified to vote beginning with the state or local primary election immediately preceding the state or local general election by which the citizen will attain the age of eighteen years?"
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Voting; Age Qualification; Constitutional Amendment
Description:
Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow individuals who are seventeen years of age but will be eighteen years of age on or before the next state or local general election to vote at the state or local primary election immediately preceding the state or local general election by which the citizen will attain the age of eighteen.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
