Report Title:

Elections; Incumbent Filing Deadline

Description:

Requires incumbent elected officials to file nomination papers for re-election 7 days prior to the filing deadline for non-incumbents.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	509
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 12-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Nomination papers shall be filed as follows:

     (1)  For members of Congress, state, and county offices, nomination papers shall be filed with the chief election officer, or clerk in case of county offices, not later than 4:30 p.m. on the sixtieth calendar day prior to the primary, special primary, or special election provided that if such day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday then not later than 4:30 p.m. on the first working day immediately preceding.  A state candidate from the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai may file the declaration of candidacy with the respective clerk.  The clerk shall transmit to the office of the chief election officer the state candidate's declaration of candidacy without delay.  However, if a special primary or special election is to be held by a county and the county charter requires that the council shall issue a proclamation calling for the election to be held within a specified period of time, and if that requirement would not allow the filing of nomination papers with the appropriate office by the sixtieth calendar day prior to the day for holding the special primary or special election, the council shall establish the deadline for the filing of nomination papers in the proclamation calling for the election; and

     (2)  For the board of trustees for the office of Hawaiian affairs, nomination papers shall be filed with the chief election officer, not later than 4:30 p.m. on the sixtieth calendar day prior to the primary election referred to in paragraph (1); provided that if that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then not later than 4:30 p.m. on the first working day immediately preceding[.];

provided that papers nominating an incumbent office holder for reelection to that office shall be filed not later than seven business days prior to the filing deadline specified in paragraph (1) or (2), as applicable."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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