HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	249
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the honolulu city council to support a charter amendment to extend the period of time for filing a vacant office.

     WHEREAS, the Revised Charter of Honolulu prescribes the manner in which a vacancy in the office of any councilmember shall be filled; and

     WHEREAS, section 3-105, Revised Charter of Honolulu, provides that where the unexpired term of the vacant office is one year or more, the vacancy shall be filled by special election to be called by the Council within ten days and to be held within sixty days after the occurrence of the vacancy; and

     WHEREAS, special elections often arise suddenly; and

     WHEREAS, an extension of the period of time in which candidates must file in a special election would allow prospective candidates to better prepare and commit to the election to the vacant office; and

WHEREAS, an extension of time would also benefit voters by allowing for a more thorough process that could attract more qualified candidates than those who are ready to run for election at the spur of the moment; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Honolulu City Council is requested to support a charter amendment to extend the period of time for holding a special election to fill a vacant office from sixty to ninety days, and to allow candidates a minimum of twenty-one days to file nomination papers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this

Resolution be transmitted to the members of the Honolulu City Council and the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

City Council; Special Elections