|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1076 |
|
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
"§11- Digital voter information guide. (a) The office of elections shall prepare, and post on its website, a digital
voter information guide. The digital voter information guide shall be
posted on the office of election's website in a screen reader-accessible format
for voters with special needs who are unable to read standard print due to
disability. The office of elections
shall provide a translation of the digital voter information guide in Olelo
Hawaii on its website. The office of
elections shall print and mail a physical copy of the
digital voter information guide to any voter upon request. The office of elections shall provide printed
copies of the digital voter information guide to all public libraries for
dissemination to the public. The digital
voter information guide shall include:
(1) A photograph and short statement of less than one hundred fifty words for each candidate running for public office, to be prepared by the candidate; provided that the office of elections may uniformly limit the number of words for the candidate statement by applicable public office;
(2) A clear and concise explanation
drafted by the department of the attorney general of each state constitutional amendment
that will be proposed to voters in the next general election;
(3) A clear and concise explanation,
drafted by the appropriate county corporation counsel, for each proposed county
charter amendment, proposed initiative, and proposed referendum issue; and
(4) Information regarding mailing
deadlines, drop box locations, same day voter registration, accessible voting
locations, and opening hours of voter service centers.
(b) The office of elections shall prepare and mail with each ballot for a primary election a notice to voters that a digital voter information guide is available on the office of elections website. The notice shall be sent by email to all voters with special needs who have registered to receive alternate format ballots.
(c) Information made available over the Internet pursuant to this section shall meet or exceed the most current, ratified standards under section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 adopted by the World Wide Consortium for accessibility."
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the office of elections to prepare and mail a notice to voters that a digital voter information guide may be found on the office of elections website.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
Report Title:
Digital Voter Information Guide; Ballot; Office of Elections; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Office of Elections to prepare a digital voter information guide. Requires the Office of Elections to post the guide on its website in compliance with certain accessibility standards. Requires the Office of Elections to mail each ballot with a notice that states a voter information guide may be found on its website. Appropriates funds. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.