Bill Text: HI SB115 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To Elections.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-01-22 - Referred to JDC, WAM. [SB115 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-SB115-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	115
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to elections.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-     Registration as a permanent absentee voter.  The submission of a voter registration application either to register to vote or to update a voter's registration information shall constitute a request for permanent absentee voter status under section 15-4, unless the applicant specifically indicates the applicant does not wish to be a permanent absentee voter."

     SECTION 2.  Section 11-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Any person qualified to and desiring to register as a voter in any county shall make and subscribe to an application in the form of an affidavit.

     The affidavit shall contain the following information:

     (1)  Name;

         (2)  The applicant's Hawaii driver's license number or Hawaii state identification card number; provided that:

          (A)  If no driver's license or identification card has been issued to the applicant, the last four digits of the applicant's social security number; and

          (B)  If no social security number has been issued to the applicant, an election official or county clerk shall assign the applicant a unique identification number for voter registration purposes and enroll the applicant in the State's computerized voter registration list, if any;

     (3)  Date of birth;

     (4)  Residence, including mailing address;

     (5)  That the residence stated in the affidavit is not simply because of the [person's] applicant's presence in the State, but that the residence was acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the [person's] applicant's legal residence with all the accompanying obligations therein; and

     (6)  That the [person] applicant is a citizen.

     An application to register to vote shall include a space to [request a] decline permanent absentee ballot[.] status."

     SECTION 3.  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 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] decline permanent absentee ballot[.] status.  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 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, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Voter Registration; Permanent Absentee Voter Status

 

Description:

Provides that the submission of a voter registration application either to register to vote or update the voter's registration information constitutes a request for permanent absentee voter status unless the applicant specifically indicates the applicant does not wish to be a permanent absentee voter.

 

 

 

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