HB 408: RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 11-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Any qualified person unable for any cause to appear in person before the clerk for registration may register to vote by mail, not later than [thirty] ten days prior to a primary or general election, through the affidavit on application for voter registration or other form prescribed by the chief election officer.  The form shall include a self‑subscribing oath for the applicant to swear to the truth of the allegations in the application.  An applicant unable to write for reason of illiteracy, blindness, or other physical disability shall have the applicant's mark witnessed by a person who shall sign the affidavit in the space provided.  [Each application form shall also include a space to request a permanent absentee ballot.]  Application forms shall be made available to any qualified person through community groups, political parties, and other groups prescribed by the chief election officer.  Application forms shall be made available to any qualified person at the time of that person's driver's license application or renewal through the examiner of drivers."

     SECTION 2.  Section 15D-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot, if it is received no later than [thirty] ten days prior to the election pursuant to section 11-16."

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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.

Report Title:

Office of Elections Package; Voter Registration; Deadlines; Forms

Description:

Extends the deadline to register to vote by mail from 30 to 10 days prior to a primary or general election.  Repeals obsolete language regarding permanent absentee ballots.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1363

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 408

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, 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 and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Extend the deadline to register to vote by mail from thirty to ten days prior to 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, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that in 2021, the deadline for the closing of the voter registration rolls was extended from the thirtieth day before an election to the tenth day before an election.  However, corresponding provisions in existing law that make it explicitly clear that the deadline for voter registration applications submitted by mail was moved to the tenth day were not amended.  This measure will clarify that the voter registration deadline by mail is the tenth day before to an election.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary 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,

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,