Bill Text: HI SB2316 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-22 - (S) Referred to JGO. [SB2316 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2316-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2316
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
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 purpose of this Act is to improve the elections system by:

     (1)  Granting the chief election officer direct recourse to the Hawaii supreme court to resolve election matters;

     (2)  Establishing standards for the selection of members to the elections commission; and

     (3)  Requiring elections commission members to hold over until their vacancies are filled.

     SECTION 2.  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 be responsible for public education with respect to voter registration and information.

     (e)  The chief election officer may institute, or intervene as a party in, any action in the supreme court seeking a writ of mandamus or prohibition, or injunctive or other relief, to compel compliance with this chapter, any rule or order adopted thereunder, or any provision of the constitution relating to elections, or to restrain or otherwise prevent or prohibit any illegal or unauthorized conduct in connection therewith.

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

     SECTION 3.  Section 11-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsection (a) to read:

     "(a)  There is established an elections commission within the department of accounting and general services for administrative purposes.  The elections commission shall consist of nine members who shall be selected based upon the member's reputation for neutrality, efficiency, and integrity, a bona fide interest in matters of statewide concern, and a proven commitment to public service as follows:

     (1)  The president of the senate shall select two elections commission members;

     (2)  The speaker of the house of representatives shall select two elections commission members;

     (3)  The senators belonging to a party or parties different from the president of the senate shall designate one senator to select two elections commission members;

     (4)  The representatives belonging to a party or parties different from the speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one representative to select two elections commission members; and

     (5)  One member, who shall serve as chairperson of the elections commission, shall be selected by the members of the elections commission selected pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (4);

provided that each group of four elections commission members selected by each house shall include one elections commission member from each of the four counties."

     2.  By amending subsection (c) to read:

     "(c)  A vacancy in the elections commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment as specified in subsection (a) within fifteen days.  A vacancy in the elections commission shall be filled with a person from the same county as the departing elections commission member.  Elections commission member vacancies not filled within the times specified shall be filled promptly thereafter by the chief justice of the supreme court.  Until a vacancy is filled, the person vacating the elections commission shall remain as a holdover member."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the amendment made under section 2 shall be repealed upon the ratification of a constitutional amendment to grant the elections commission supervisory authority over the chief election officer.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer

 

Description:

Grants the chief election officer direct recourse to the supreme court to resolve election matters.  Establishes standards for the selection of members to the elections commission.  Requires elections commission members to hold over until vacancies are filled.

 

 

 

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