Bill Text: HI HB1606 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Arrangement Of Candidate Names On Ballots.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-01-30 - The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1606 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1606-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1606 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ARRANGEMENT OF CANDIDATE NAMES ON BALLOTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
Currently, on the Hawai‘i ballot, candidates for a specific office are listed in alphabetical order starting with the letter "A", and the ballots are identical across precincts for that office.
The purpose of this Act is to require:
(1) That any new contract entered into by the office of elections for equipment or services relating to preparing ballots or counting votes include the capability to randomize the names of candidates appearing on the ballot if technologically possible;
(2) The names of candidates to be placed upon the ballot for their respective offices in a randomized order, to the greatest extent possible; and
(3) The
office of elections to inform voters and candidates, by a method suited for the
voting system, that the names of candidates may not be in alphabetical order.
SECTION 2. Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"11- Preparation of ballots; vote counting; equipment; services; capability to randomize the names of candidates. Any new contract that the office of elections enters into for equipment or services relating to preparing ballots or counting votes shall include the capability to randomize the names of candidates appearing on the ballot, to the greatest extent possible, if technologically possible."
SECTION 3. Section 11-115, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a)
The names of the candidates shall be placed upon the ballot for their
respective offices in [alphabetical] a randomized order so
that, to the greatest extent possible, the names are randomized on individual
ballots and randomly rotated from one precinct to another, except:
(1) As provided in section 11-118;
(2) [For]
As subject to the limitations of the voting system in use; and
(3) [For]
In the case of the candidates for vice president and lieutenant governor
in the general election [whose], the names of those candidates
shall be placed immediately below the name of the candidate for president or
governor of the same political party.
The office of elections shall inform voters and candidates, by a method suited for the voting system, that the candidates may not necessarily be listed on the ballot in alphabetical order."
SECTION 4. The chief election officer shall establish procedures to implement the purpose of this Act, which shall apply to the election cycle beginning on January 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Elections; Ballot; Arrangement of Candidate Names; Randomization
Description:
Requires that any new contract entered into by the Office of Elections for equipment or services relating to preparing ballots or counting votes include the capability to randomize the names of candidates appearing on the ballot if technologically possible. Requires candidate names to be randomized on ballots to the greatest extent possible. Requires the Office of Elections to inform voters and candidates, by a method suited for the voting system, that the names of candidates may not be in alphabetical order.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
