STAND. COM. REP. NO. 805

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 408

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 408 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the deadline to register to vote by mail from thirty to ten days before a primary or general election; and

(2) Repeal obsolete language regarding permanent absentee ballots.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Elections; Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk of the County of Kauai; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Hawaiʻi Workers Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State should ensure that the electoral process is accessible to all and encourages widespread participation. This measure makes the electoral process more accessible by extending the deadline to register to vote by mail from thirty to ten days before a primary or general election.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 408 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair