Requires the office of elections to prepare a candidate information brochure or pamphlet, and a sample ballot for mailing to all registered voters at least 30 days before an election.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§11- Candidate information; sample ballots. (a) The office of elections shall prepare the following to be mailed to each registered voter during an election year at least thirty days prior to the election:

(b) The office of elections shall make copies of the candidate pamphlet or brochure available at all public libraries statewide and electronically by means of email and its website.

(c) The office of elections, at its discretion, may combine the information required in subsection (a) with any other election-related mailings, including but not limited to, informational mailings that explain the pros and cons of amendments to the state constitution to be considered at the election. The information required in subsection (a) may also be mailed concurrently with any correspondence mailed by a county clerk to effect the purpose of section 11-17; provided that if this option is used by the office of elections, each county clerk may seek reimbursement for additional postage costs, if any, from the office of elections.

(d) For purposes of this section, "election" includes, but is not limited to, the general, primary, and any special elections."

SECTION 2. The legislature finds that staff support is essential to provide efficient and effective assistance for the voter information activities of the office of elections, including design, production, and distribution of the voter information brochure or pamphlet, and sample ballot.

SECTION 3. The office of elections is authorized to establish one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent position for voter information activities of the office of elections.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to establish one full-time equivalent permanent position for the voter information activities of the office of elections, including design, production, and distribution of the voter information brochure or pamphlet, and sample ballot.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the costs associated with the design, production, and distribution of the voter information brochure or pamphlet, and sample ballot.

SECTION 6. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.

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