HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	832
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
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 11-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§11-2 Chief election officer; duties. (a) The chief election officer shall supervise all state elections. The chief election officer may delegate responsibilities in state elections within a county to the clerk of that county or to other specified persons.

(b) The chief election officer shall be responsible for the maximization of registration of eligible electors throughout the State. In maximizing registration, the chief election officer shall make an effort to equalize registration between districts, with particular effort in those districts in which the chief election officer determines registration is lower than desirable. The chief election officer, in carrying out this function, may make surveys, carry on house-to-house canvassing, and assist or direct the clerk in any other area of registration.

(c) The chief election officer shall maintain data concerning registered voters, elections, apportionment, and districting. The chief election officer shall use this data to assist the reapportionment commission provided for under Article IV of the Constitution.

(d) The chief election officer shall be responsible for public education with respect to voter registration and information.

(e) The chief election officer shall develop and distribute a voter information guide for all candidates running for state office, including candidates for any trustee position of the office of Hawaiian affairs. The voter information guide may be distributed by whatever means practical given the resources available to the chief election officer, including but not limited to electronic distribution, mail, or newspaper, and may be distributed in different versions to fit the respective electoral districts or regions. In each regular session of the legislature that immediately precedes an election year, the chief election officer shall request an appropriation that is sufficient to carry out the purposes of this subsection, to be expended in the fiscal year in which the election is to be held.

[(e)] (f) The chief election officer shall adopt rules governing elections in accordance with chapter 91."

SECTION 2. The office of elections shall prepare a proposal detailing at least two options for voter information guides and the cost estimates for each option. The office of elections shall submit the proposal to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Elections; Chief Election Officer; Voter Information Guide

Description:

Requires the chief election officer to develop and distribute a voter information guide for all candidates running for state office, including candidates running for any trustee position of the office of Hawaiian affairs. Requires the office of elections to submit options for different voter information guides and their respective cost estimates to the legislature before the Regular Session of 2024.

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