HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	136
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study to determine the different types of closed primaries conducted by other states and the corresponding effect on voter turnout.

     WHEREAS, the various states are free to conduct primary elections however the respective state deems appropriate, as long as individuals' constitutional rights are protected; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii conducts open primaries where a voter may choose which primary to vote in without being required to register with a political party; and

     WHEREAS, in California Democratic Party v. Jones, 530 U.S. 567 (2000), the United States Supreme Court ruled that a political party has a right, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, to limit participation in its primary elections to persons who are members of that political party; and

     WHEREAS, currently, eleven states conduct closed primary elections that require a voter to be a registered member of the political party holding the primary; and

     WHEREAS, the State has a compelling interest in increasing voter participation in primary elections to ensure a representative form of government; and

     WHEREAS, it is unclear whether open or closed primary elections result in a higher voter turnout in those jurisdictions; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study to determine the types of closed primary elections conducted by other states and the corresponding effect, if any, on voter turnout in those jurisdictions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to report its findings to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requesting a study of the types of closed primaries and their effect on voter turnout.