Bill Text: HI HCR187 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Task Force to Ensure Accuracy of Voter Registration Addresses

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-12 - Referred to JUD, FIN, referral sheet 33 [HCR187 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HCR187-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	187
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the convening of a task force to determine methods of ensuring the accuracy of mailing addresses in voter registration records.

 

 

     WHEREAS, a thriving democracy is largely dependent on government services and processes that promote effective citizen participation; and

 

     WHEREAS, accurate mailing addresses in voter registration records are essential to ensuring that voters receive absentee ballots and notices of polling place assignments; and

 

     WHEREAS, voter registration records may contain incorrect mailing addresses for various reasons, including the failure of voters to provide notifications of address changes, redistricting that alters voter districts, or errors in data entry or recordkeeping systems; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's low voter turnout rate, typically one of the worst in the nation, underscores the need to ensure that voter registration records contain accurate and up-to-date information that allows Hawaii's citizens to exercise their right to vote; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Chief Election Officer is requested to convene a task force to determine methods of ensuring the accuracy of mailing addresses in voter registration records; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Election Officer is requested to invite the following parties to participate as members of the task force:

 

     (1)  The County Clerk of each county, or their respective designees;

 

     (2)  A representative from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii;

 

     (3)  A representative from Common Cause Hawaii; and

 

     (4)  Any other party that the Chief Election Officer may invite at the Chief Election Officer's discretion; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to investigate the various causes of incorrect mailing addresses in voter registration records, including redistricting, failure to update changes of address, and errors attributable to data entry or recordkeeping systems; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to consider alternative methods of identifying the mailing address of voters, such as by use of the tax map key system or by a physical description of the boundaries of the property; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to explore methods of updating or improving voter registration systems to ensure the accuracy of mailing addresses in voter registration records, including systems that:

 

     (1)  Compare registration lists with other data sources, such as motor vehicle and National Change of Address records;

 

     (2)  Implement proven techniques and security protocols that use established data sources to track voter information and identify inaccurate records; and

 

     (3)  Minimize the occurrence of errors that result from manual data entry of voter registration information, including by allowing voters to personally submit information online; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Election Officer, the County Clerk of each county of the State of Hawaii, the President of the State Board of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and the Executive Director of Common Cause Hawaii.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Task Force to Ensure Accuracy of Voter Registration Addresses