THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	533
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to voters with special needs.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-    Statewide voters with special needs advisory committee.  (a)  There is established a statewide voters with special needs advisory committee within the office of elections for administrative purposes.  The purpose of the advisory committee is to ensure equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots, and all other office of elections services.

     (b)  The advisory committee shall consist of five members appointed by the governor based on recommendations from organizations within the State that are comprised of a majority of officers and members who are persons with physical disabilities including visual impairment.  Each member shall identify as a voter with special needs arising from physical disabilities including visual and hearing impairments that require an accommodation to vote.  The terms of advisory committee members shall be four years; provided that initial terms shall be one, two, three, or four years to ensure staggered rotation of members.

     (c)  The advisory committee shall meet at least annually to review election procedures, services, and technology and access to information, and shall make recommendations to the office of elections on at least an annual basis.  The committee may meet and subsequently make recommendations at additional times as determined by a majority of the members.

     §11-    County voters with special needs advisory committees.  (a)  There is established a county voters with special needs advisory committee within each county division of the office of elections.  The purpose of the advisory committees is to ensure equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots, and all other county elections division services.

     (b)  Each advisory committee shall consist of five members appointed by the mayor of each respective county based on recommendations from organizations within the county that are comprised of a majority of officers and members who are persons with physical disabilities including visual impairment.  Each member shall identify as a voter with special needs arising from physical disabilities including visual and hearing impairments which require an accommodation to vote.  The terms of advisory committee members shall be four years; provided that initial terms shall be one, two, three, or four years to ensure staggered rotation of members.

     (c)  Each advisory committee shall meet at least annually to review election procedures, services, and technology and access to information, and shall make recommendations to the office of elections on at least an annual basis.  The committee may meet and subsequently make recommendations at additional times as determined by a majority of the members."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Elections; Special Needs Voters; Advisory Committee; Equal Access; Deaf and Blind Task Force

 

Description:

Establishes voters with special needs advisory committees at the state and county levels to ensure equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots, and all other office of elections services.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.