STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1388

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 108

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 108, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER TO CONVENE AN AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION TASK FORCE TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING AN AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Chief Election Officer to convene an automatic voter registration task force to determine, among other matters, the feasibility, cost savings, and cost impact of implementing an automatic voter registration system in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Elections, Common Cause Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, the League of Women Voters, and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the registered voter turnout rate in Hawaii is low and that Hawaii currently ranks among the bottom of all states regarding the percentage of registered voters who turn out to vote.  Your Committee further finds that the feasibility of establishing an automatic voter registration system, which may increase the registration rate and voter turnout, should be studied.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 108, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair