STAND. COM. REP. NO.  431

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 764

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 764 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VOTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to facilitate voter participation in elections by allowing voters to apply for absentee voter status.  More specifically, this bill:

     (1)  Enables a registered voter who requests an absentee ballot, to make an additional request to receive absentee ballots permanently;

     (2)  Specifies that voters who request permanent absentee ballots be mailed the ballots for each election conducted in that precinct on a continual basis;

     (3)  Requires the Chief Election Officer to make the option of receiving permanent absentee ballots known and provide the necessary forms; and

     (4)  Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the permanent absentee voter program.

     The Office of Elections supported the intent of this bill. The Office of the City Clerk of the City and County of Honolulu submitted comments.

     Your Committee recognizes the positive impact that a permanent absentee voting system may have on voter turnout in Hawaii.  However, your Committee has concerns regarding the maintenance and reliability of voter registration lists if this new system is implemented.  Your Committee notes that these concerns are addressed by certain provisions contained in H.B. No. 1136.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Making the permanent absentee voter responsible for informing the clerk of any changes to personal information, including changes to the voter's forwarding address;

     (2)  Establishing conditions under which a voter's permanent absentee voter status will be terminated;

     (3)  Specifying that if a voter's permanent absentee voter status has been terminated, the voter must again request permanent absentee voter status to become a permanent absentee voter; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 764, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 764, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair