Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow voters to register to vote on election day.

Specifically, this bill would allow a voter to register at the polling place for the precinct in which the voter resides and allow the voter to vote upon proof of residency.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii ranks near the bottom in the nation in terms of voter participation. Your Committee further finds that the current cutoff for voter registration--thirty days before an election--often prevents residents, particularly those who do not become interested or start focusing on an election until it draws near, from participating in the democratic process. This measure will encourage increased participation in the political process by removing this barrier to voter registration.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means 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 Third Reading.