HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1796
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
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 VIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-     Initiative issue questions.  (a)  There is established a process for:

     (1)  Registered voters to propose an initiative issue question to be included on a general election ballot; and

     (2)  The chief election officer to include an initiative issue question on a general election ballot.

     (b)  For an initiative issue question to be included on a general election ballot:

     (1)  A registered voter shall file for a petition form for an initiative issue question with the chief election officer;

     (2)  The chief election officer shall review the filing for a petition form for an initiative issue question to determine whether the proposed initiative issue question conforms to statutory and administrative requirements;

     (3)  If the chief election officer certifies that all statutory and administrative requirements relating to the filing have been met, the chief election officer shall issue a petition form with the language of the proposed initiative issue question to the registered voter that filed for the petition form;

     (4)  A registered voter shall file a completed petition for an initiative issue question with the chief election officer:

         (A)  That includes the name, residence address, date of birth, and signature of currently registered voters comprising not less than ten per cent of the total registered voters of the State as of the last preceding general election;

         (B)  No sooner than one year prior to the next general election; and

         (C)  No later than sixty days prior to the next general election; and

     (5)  The chief election officer shall verify that the information and signatures affixed to the petition are valid.

     (c)  The chief election officer shall place an initiative issue question on the next general election ballot as authorized under section 11-112; provided that all requirements of subsection (b) are met.

     (d)  A proposed initiative issue question shall be printed on the filing for petition:

     (1)  In its final and exact form to be printed on the petition and on the ballot;

     (2)  In a manner to enable voters to express their choice on the initiative issue question by providing a "yes" or "no" response; and

     (3)  With language and meaning that are clear and are neither misleading nor deceptive.

     (e)  The outcome of an initiative issue question vote shall not have the force and effect of law.

     (f)  The chief election officer shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Initiative Issue Question; Elections

 

Description:

Establishes a process, to increase voter participation, to include an initiative issue question on a general election ballot. Provides that the outcome of an initiative issue question shall not have the force and effect of law.

 

 

 

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