HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	64
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS AND CLERKS OF THE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FACTSHEETS ABOUT PROPOSED COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS, STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND BALLOT INITIATIVES THAT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT in STATEWIDE and county elections.

 

 

 

WHEREAS, an informed electorate is essential for the development and maintenance of a healthy and robust democracy; and

 

     WHEREAS, to be an informed voter it is necessary to have relevant, factual, objective, and accessible information; and

 

     WHEREAS, ballots are not limited to candidates for public office and may include proposed amendments to a county's charter, the State Constitution, or direct ballot initiatives; and

 

     WHEREAS, many voters arrive at polling places unaware that there may be additional measures on the ballots for the voter to consider and vote on; and

 

     WHEREAS, currently, the text of each proposed ballot measure is made available in advance and at each polling place, but absent further explanation, the text of the measure may not provide enough information to voters to make an informed decision when voting; and

 

     WHEREAS, it would benefit voters to have more information available to make an informed decision on ballot measures; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the Senate concurring, that the Office of Elections and Clerks of the Counties are urged to provide information factsheets about proposed county charter amendments, state constitutional amendments, and ballot initiatives, to be made available to voters in the State and counties at each polling place on Election Day, on the Office of Elections and Clerk of the county's websites, at early voting polling places statewide, and by mail; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chair of the Elections Commission, Office of Elections, Chief Election Officer, and the Clerks of the County of Kauai, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and City and County of Honolulu.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

URGING THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS AND CLERKS OF THE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FACTSHEETS ABOUT COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS, STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND BALLOT INITIATIVES THAT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT AT POLLING PLACES STATEWIDE.