THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	857
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to voting.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii State Constitution allows a citizen to vote if that citizen is registered to vote as provided by law.

     The legislature further finds that certain barriers to voting discourage citizens from voting.  One such barrier is the thirty-day voter registration requirement.

     The legislature further finds that voter-friendly initiatives, such as election day voter registration, encourage citizens to vote and should be implemented in Hawaii.  Election day voter registration permits eligible voters to register and vote on primary and general election days.

     Election day voter registration has been adopted in at least nine states, including Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  Analysis of election day voter registration program data indicates that:

     (1)  For over twenty-five years, states with election day voter registration have had higher voter turnout than those without election day voter registration.  Data from the November 2008 election day shows an average voter turnout seven per cent higher than the average turnout for states without election day voter registration.  The top five turnout states all had election day voter registration; and

     (2)  Allowing young people to register to vote on election day could increase youth turnout in presidential elections by as much as fourteen per cent.

According to a 2001 survey, nearly two-thirds of non-voters said that allowing people to register and vote on election day would make them more likely to vote.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow voters to register and vote on the day of an election.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§11-   Election day voter registration. (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, an individual who is qualified to register may do so on the day of an election by:

(1) Appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the voter maintains residency;

(2) Completing a voter registration application;

(3) Making an oath on a form prescribed by the chief election officer; and

(4) Providing proof of residency;

provided that, in the case of an election conducted by mail, an individual who is qualified to register may do so at ballot collection sites in the same manner as prescribed in paragraphs (1) through (4).

(b)  An individual may prove residency for purposes of this section by presenting:

(1) A valid Hawaii driver's license or Hawaii state identification card; or

(2) Any documentation approved by the chief election officer.

(c)  No precinct official shall receive the vote of any individual who is not registered to vote pursuant to subsection (a), section 11-15, or section 11-15.3.

(d)  The chief election officer or the chief election officer's designee shall maintain a record of the number of individuals who registered to vote on election day and voted, as well as the number of individuals who attempted to register on election day, but were unable to provide proof of residency pursuant to subsection (b).  The record shall be included with the election returns for each precinct.

(e)  The chief election officer shall establish rules pursuant to chapter 91, as necessary to carry out this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Voter Registration; Election Day

Description:

Allows qualified voters to register and vote on election day.  Requires the chief election officer or a designee to keep a record for each precinct of the number of persons who register on election day and the number of persons who attempt to register on election day but were unable to provide proof of residency, and include the record with the election returns for each precinct.  Requires the chief election officer to establish rules pursuant to chapter 91.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.