Report Title:

Elections; Absentee Voters

Description:

Allows voters to apply for permanent absentee voter status. Appropriates funds.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1736

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to elections.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§15- Permanent absentee voting. (a) Any registered voter may apply for status as a permanent absentee voter by submitting to the clerk in person an application in the form of an affidavit that shall include the personal information required in section 15-4. If a registered voter is granted permanent absentee voter status, the voter shall not be required to submit a separate request for each election and shall receive an absentee ballot for each election in which the voter is eligible to vote.

(b) A voter who has been granted permanent absentee voter status shall not be permitted to vote in any manner other than by absentee mail ballot and shall not be allowed to vote at the polls for any reason. Voters granted permanent absentee status shall be responsible for requesting a replacement ballot before election day in the event that a ballot is spoiled or not received.

(c) A voter's status as a permanent absentee voter shall be immediately terminated if any of the following conditions apply:

(1) The voter requests in writing that the status be terminated;

(2) The voter dies, loses voting rights, registers to vote in another jurisdiction, or is otherwise disqualified from voting;

(3) The voter's absentee ballot, voter notification postcard, or other election mail is returned to the county clerk as undeliverable for any reason; or

(4) The voter does not return a voted ballot by 6:00 p.m. on election day in both the primary and general election of an election year.

If a voter's permanent absentee voter status is terminated, the voter shall be responsible for reapplying for the privilege and shall be responsible for meeting all applicable deadlines for absentee voting as provided in this chapter.

(d) Any voted absentee ballot in the custody of the clerk, other than those that have been returned as spoiled, shall be considered cast and may not be recast for any reason.

(e) The chief election officer shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate this section."

SECTION 2. 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 same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for grants-in-aid to the several counties for the costs of establishing and administrating permanent absentee voter programs. The specific amounts appropriated for each county shall be as follows:

1. City and County of Honolulu $          

2. County of Hawaii $          

3. County of Kauai $          

4. County of Maui $          

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the counties for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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