SB 176: Elections; Recounts; Initial Tabulation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-04-23
Current Status:
In Progress
(2025-06-25: Act 226, on 06/25/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1328).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (CD1)
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (SD1)
Increases the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
176 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO RECOUNTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(1) Less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates; or
(2) Less than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast in that race.
The one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast benchmark has been the more determinative standard, even though the vote difference between candidates has been less than one hundred votes. In the 2024 primary and general elections, there were three races where the difference was less than one hundred votes but the per cent difference was higher than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast.
The legislature further finds that election recounts help to ensure fair and accurate election outcomes and can boost the public's perception of the election process. According to a FairVote analysis of election recounts, the majority of states that require automatic recounts use the standard of a margin of vote difference that is double of Act 1's: one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes in that race.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to allow certain ballots to be included in the initial tabulation and modestly increase the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
SECTION 2. Section 11-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(d) Any initial recount provided by law shall
include only ballots verified for the purpose of the initial tabulation. [In no event shall a recount of an initial
tabulation include ballots the validity of which could not be verified by 6:00
a.m. on the day following an election day.] The initial tabulation shall
include any ballots designated by the clerk for inclusion. The initial tabulation shall not include any
ballots that the clerk initially determines are deficient under section 11-106
and need additional time to be corrected by the voter, or any ballots the
validity of which the clerk could not verify and determines under this section
need up to five business days following the election to be validated to include
in the final tabulation."
SECTION 3. Section 11-158, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) The chief election officer, or the clerk in the case of a county election, shall conduct a recount of all votes cast for any office or ballot question in any election if the official tabulation of all of the returns for that office or question reveals that the difference in:
(1) The number of votes cast for a candidate apparently qualified for the general election ballot or elected to office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent; or
(2) The number of votes cast in the affirmative for the ballot question and the number of votes cast in the negative for the ballot question, including when applicable, the tabulation of blank votes,
is equal to
or less than one hundred votes or [one-quarter] one‑half of
one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the contest, whichever is
lesser."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Elections; Recounts; Initial Tabulation
Description:
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
176 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO RECOUNTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(1) Less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates; or
(2) Less than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast in that race.
The one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast benchmark has been the more determinative standard, even though the vote difference between candidates has been less than one hundred votes. In the 2024 primary and general elections, there were three races where the difference was less than one hundred votes but the per cent difference was higher than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast.
The legislature further finds that election recounts help to ensure fair and accurate election outcomes and can boost the public's perception of the election process. According to a FairVote analysis of election recounts, the majority of states that require automatic recounts use the standard of a margin of vote difference that is double of Act 1's: one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes in that race.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to allow certain ballots to be included in the initial tabulation and modestly increase the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
SECTION 2. Section 11-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(d) Any initial recount provided by law shall
include only ballots verified for the purpose of the initial tabulation. [In no event shall a recount of an initial
tabulation include ballots the validity of which could not be verified by 6:00
a.m. on the day following an election day.] The initial tabulation shall
include any ballots designated by the clerk for inclusion. The initial tabulation shall not include any
ballots that the clerk initially determines are deficient under section 11-106
and need additional time to be corrected by the voter, or any ballots the
validity of which the clerk could not verify and determines under this section
need up to five business days following the election to be validated to include
in the final tabulation."
SECTION 3. Section 11-158, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) The chief election officer, or the clerk in the case of a county election, shall conduct a recount of all votes cast for any office or ballot question in any election if the official tabulation of all of the returns for that office or question reveals that the difference in:
(1) The number of votes cast for a candidate apparently qualified for the general election ballot or elected to office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent; or
(2) The number of votes cast in the affirmative for the ballot question and the number of votes cast in the negative for the ballot question, including when applicable, the tabulation of blank votes,
is equal to
or less than one hundred votes or [one-quarter] one‑half of
one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the contest, whichever is
lesser."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Elections; Recounts; Initial Tabulation
Description:
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
176 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO RECOUNTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(1) Less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates; or
(2) Less than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast in that race.
The one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast benchmark has been the more determinative standard, even though the vote difference between candidates has been less than one hundred votes. In the 2024 primary and general elections, there were three races where the difference was less than one hundred votes but the per cent difference was higher than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast.
The legislature further finds that election recounts help to ensure fair and accurate election outcomes and can boost the public's perception of the election process. According to a FairVote analysis of election recounts, the majority of states that require automatic recounts use the standard of a margin of vote difference that is double of Act 1's: one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes in that race.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to allow certain ballots to be included in the initial tabulation and modestly increase the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
SECTION 2. Section 11-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(d) Any initial recount provided by law shall
include only ballots verified for the purpose of the initial tabulation. [In no event shall a recount of an initial
tabulation include ballots the validity of which could not be verified by 6:00
a.m. on the day following an election day.] The initial tabulation shall
include any ballots designated by the clerk for inclusion. The initial tabulation shall not include any
ballots that the clerk initially determines are deficient under section 11-106
and need additional time to be corrected by the voter, or any ballots the
validity of which the clerk could not verify and determines under this section
need up to five business days following the election to be validated to include
in the final tabulation."
SECTION 3. Section 11-158, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) The chief election officer, or the clerk in the case of a county election, shall conduct a recount of all votes cast for any office or ballot question in any election if the official tabulation of all of the returns for that office or question reveals that the difference in:
(1) The number of votes cast for a candidate apparently qualified for the general election ballot or elected to office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent; or
(2) The number of votes cast in the affirmative for the ballot question and the number of votes cast in the negative for the ballot question, including when applicable, the tabulation of blank votes,
is equal to
or less than one hundred votes or [one-quarter] one‑half of
one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the contest, whichever is
lesser."
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Elections; Recounts; Initial Tabulation
Description:
Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
176 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to recounts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(1) Less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates; or
(2) Less than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast in that race.
The one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast benchmark has been the more determinative standard, even though the vote difference between candidates has been less than one hundred votes. In the 2024 primary and general elections, there were three races where the difference was less than one hundred votes but the per cent difference was higher than one-quarter of one per cent of the total number of votes cast.
The legislature further finds that election recounts help to ensure fair and accurate election outcomes and can boost the public's perception of the election process. According to a FairVote analysis of election recounts, the majority of states that require automatic recounts use the standard of a margin of vote difference that is double of Act 1's: one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes in that race.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to modestly increase the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
SECTION 2. Section 11-158, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) The chief election officer, or the clerk in the case of a county election, shall conduct a recount of all votes cast for any office or ballot question in any election if the official tabulation of all of the returns for that office or question reveals that the difference in:
(1) The number of votes cast for a candidate apparently qualified for the general election ballot or elected to office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent; or
(2) The number of votes cast in the affirmative for the ballot question and the number of votes cast in the negative for the ballot question, including when applicable, the tabulation of blank votes,
is equal to
or less than one hundred votes or [one-quarter] one‑half of
one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the contest, whichever is
lesser."
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Date
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Status
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| Jun 25, 2025 | Act 226, on 06/25/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1328). |
| Jun 25, 2025 | Act 226, 06/25/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1328). |
| May 2, 2025 | Enrolled to Governor. |
| May 2, 2025 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821). |
| May 1, 2025 | Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888). |
| Apr 30, 2025 | Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). |
| Apr 30, 2025 | Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25. |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 11) as amended in (CD 1). |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25. |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 11). |
| Apr 22, 2025 | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 22, 2025 | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang. |
| Apr 17, 2025 | Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-21-25 2:00PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 17, 2025 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 825). |
| Apr 17, 2025 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Chang, Gabbard. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 731). |
| Apr 14, 2025 | House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Poepoe, Shimizu. |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 481). |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Senate disagrees with House amendments. |
| Apr 3, 2025 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 431). |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with Representative(s) Alcos, Matsumoto, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran, Hussey, Lowen, Ward excused (4). |
| Mar 31, 2025 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1720) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. |
| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Garcia. |
| Mar 10, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-12-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 105) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1). |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 811) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. |
| Feb 5, 2025 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang. |
| Jan 29, 2025 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Re-Referred to JDC. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Referred to JDC, WAM. |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 13, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 30, 2025 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 30, 2025 | Final Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 2, 2025 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 5, 2025 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Aloha Freedom Coalition | ** Against | |
| Hawaii Patriot Republicans | ** Against | |
| League of Women Voters of Hawaii | ** Support |
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 11
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 176
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
C.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir and Madam:
Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RECOUNTS,"
having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Allow for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts;
(2) Prohibit ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation; and
(3) Increase the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount.
Your Committee on Conference finds that under existing law, the required vote difference to cause an automatic recount by the State or county is the lower of two benchmarks, which are either less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates or less than one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes cast in that race. Your Committee on Conference further finds that most states that require automatic recounts use the standard margin of vote difference that is double that required by existing law: one-half of one percent of the total number of votes in that race. This measure will align the State's minimum requirements to trigger an automatic recount with the minimum threshold set by the majority of other states that require automatic recounts.
Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:
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ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE |
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ON THE PART OF THE SENATE |
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Chair |
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____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1720
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 176
S.D. 1
H.D. 1
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 S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RECOUNTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee finds that this measure clarifies which ballots are included in the initial tabulation for automatic election recounts, ensuring a more transparent and comprehensive recount process.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
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 S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 811
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 176
S.D. 1
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 S.B. No. 176 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RECOUNTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the qualifying criteria for an automatic election recount.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and two individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the East Hawaii Republican Party and forty-nine individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Elections and one individual.
Your Committee finds that Act 1, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 1), changed the criteria for an election outcome to cause an automatic recount by the State or county. The result has been that a very limited number of election races now qualify for an automatic recount. Under Act 1, the required vote difference is the lower number of two benchmarks: less than one hundred votes between the top two candidates, or less than one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes cast in that race. The one‑quarter of one percent of the total number of votes cast benchmark has been the more determinative standard, even though the vote difference between candidates has been less than one hundred votes. For example, in the 2024 primary and general elections, there were three races where the difference was less than one hundred votes but the percent difference was higher than one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes cast. This measure will ensure fair and accurate election outcomes and boost the public's perception of the election process.
Your Committee also finds that the initial tabulation of results is conducted over the course of the night of the election and into the following evening. There is often a delay between the completion of the initial tabulation and the final report issued by the Office of Elections, largely due to the significant volume of ballots received by the county clerks that are then processed that evening and the next day. There are also delays between the initial tabulation and the final tabulation, which often results from deficiencies with a voter's return identification envelope, such as a missing signature or it not matching what was on file, and voters having the ability to cure the deficiency by the fifth business day after the election. Given the frequent delays to initial and final tabulations due to these deficiencies, your Committee believes that ballots with deficiencies should not be included in the number or percentage of ballots needed to trigger an automatic recount.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Allowing ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation;
(2) Prohibiting ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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 S.B. No. 176, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 176, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair |
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Discussed in Hearing
2MIN
Conference Committee
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
30SEC
Senate Floor
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):