Report Title:

Mail-In Voting; Pilot Project

Description:

Establishes a pilot project to implement 100% voting by mail for 2010 elections.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1797
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to voting.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The chief election officer shall plan and implement a pilot program to have all federal, state, and county primary, general, or special elections taking place in 2010 to be done through a one hundred per cent vote by mail system. 

     (b)  Any one hundred per cent vote by mail system implemented under the pilot program shall include the following:

     (1)  Consideration of the voting system used in the state               of Oregon and whether that system, or parts of that           system, is applicable to this state; and

     (2)  Appropriate procedures and policies to:

          (A)  Ensure the confidentiality of the mail-in ballot,              and to ensure that the mail-in ballots are kept                    physically safe;

          (B)  Ensure that the mail-in ballot is distributed to                    every eligible voter in the state, whether by                  mail or otherwise;

          (C)  Provide eligible voters with access to                              replacement mail-in ballots in cases where the                 original mail-in ballot is lost, destroyed,                        or spoiled;

          (D)  Allow for drop-off of complete mail-in                              ballots in designated collection sites; and

          (E)  Ensure that mail-in ballots are completed                      correctly by the voter, and that the ballots are                   accurately counted and results conveyed in a                  timely manner.

     (c)  By July 1, 2011, the chief election officer shall submit a final report on the pilot program, detailing the benefits of the 100 per cent vote by mail system, including any cost savings, as well as issues and problems that arose in the planning and implementation of the system.  The final report shall include recommendations on whether to make permanent a 100 per cent vote by mail system in Hawaii, and details on how best to plan and implement this system on a permanent basis.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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