Bill Text: HI HCR153 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging The Counties To Open Additional Voter Service Centers For The 2020 Elections To Provide Ample Election Services To Voters In Their Respective Jurisdictions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-11 - Referred to JUD, FIN, referral sheet 40 [HCR153 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HCR153-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	153
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE COUNTIES TO OPEN ADDITIONAL VOTER SERVICE CENTERS FOR THE 2020 ELECTIONS to PROVIDE AMPLE ELECTION SERVICES TO VOTERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, starting with the 2020 primary election, Hawaii registered voters will no longer be voting at traditional polling places, such as schools and community centers; and

 

WHEREAS, instead all elections statewide will be conducted by mail; and

 

     WHEREAS, under the vote-by-mail election system, ballots will be automatically mailed to all registered voters in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 136, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, which enacted vote-by-mail uniformly statewide, also establishes voter service centers to receive personal delivery of mail-in ballots, accommodate voters with special needs, offer same-day registration and voting, and provide other election services; and

 

WHEREAS, despite the transition to a completely new all-mail-in election system, only eight voter service centers are planned to open in the State for the 2020 elections; and

 

WHEREAS, in past years, election officials have staffed about two hundred thirty polling locations across the State on election day; and

 

     WHEREAS, while mail-in voting is convenient and can save money, ease administrative burdens, and provide flexibility for voters, having only eight voter service centers for the upcoming elections will broadly limit a citizen's constitutional right to vote, especially since this year will be the first election for which Hawaii has implemented statewide vote-by-mail; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's already low voter turnout could be worse if election officials do not properly implement the new vote-by-mail system; and

 

     WHEREAS, additional voter service centers are needed in case unexpected issues arise and to help residents get used to the new vote-by-mail system; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the Senate concurring, that the counties are urged to open additional voter service centers for the 2020 elections to provide ample election services to voters in their respective jurisdictions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Election Officer, City Clerk of the City and County of Honolulu, and the County Clerks of the respective Counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Elections; Voter Service Centers; Counties