Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize voter registration at the person's residence precinct polling place on election day by completing an application, swearing an oath, and providing two forms of proof of residency.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Chief Election Officer, Office of Elections, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women, Life of the Land, the ACLU, and a concerned citizen.

Your Committee finds that nationally, Hawaii ranks last in voter participation. Hawaii's citizens are required to register at least thirty days prior to an election. Many citizens do not become interested in an election until shortly before election day. If they have not met the registration deadline, however, they are foreclosed from voting in that election.

Your Committee notes that adequate safeguards are in place to prevent voter fraud at polling places, and other states have implemented same day registration with successful results. Your Committee believes same day registration will result in increased voter participation in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1142 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.