THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	14
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the clerk of each county to include a postage prepaid return envelope with each ballot mailed to an absentee voter.

     WHEREAS, in 2006, voter turnout in Hawaii plummeted to a new low of fifty-three per cent of registered voters; and

     WHEREAS, voting by absentee ballot is becoming increasingly popular, with thirty-four per cent of the voter turnout comprised of absentee voters either by walk-in or mail; and

     WHEREAS, in the interest of bolstering the electoral process, the absentee voting process should be as convenient as possible and should promote informed voting; and

     WHEREAS, section 15-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, directs that the mailed distribution and return of absentee ballots shall be at no cost to the voter; and

     WHEREAS, section 15-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further directs that the State and counties share in the cost of all postage associated with the distribution and return of absentee ballots, if the costs are not covered by the federal government; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Clerk of each county is requested to include a postage prepaid return envelope with each ballot mailed to an absentee voter, such that the mailed distribution and return of absentee ballots shall be at no cost to the voter; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Clerk of each county of the State and the Chief Election Officer.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Absentee Ballots; Postage Prepaid Return Envelopes