If enacted, HB 789 will alter the current practices around mail-in voting in Hawaii, as the previous regulations allowed ballots to be sent out up to 18 days before the elections. By implementing a stricter timeline for when ballots can be mailed, the bill intends to align the voting process with recent changes in postal service delivery standards and improve the accuracy of voter registration by eliminating the mailing of ballots to outdated addresses.
Summary
House Bill 789 proposes changes to how mail-in ballots are distributed to voters in Hawaii. The bill amends Section 11-102 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifying that ballot packages should be mailed no earlier than 15 days and no later than 8 days before election day. This change aims to improve the timing of ballot distribution to ensure voters receive their mail-in ballots closer to the election date, potentially increasing voter participation and engagement.
Contention
There may be concerns regarding the feasibility of the new mailing timelines, particularly from election officials tasked with ensuring all eligible voters receive their ballots in a timely manner. Notably, the bill does not amend responsibilities related to military and overseas voters, which may lead to discussions about whether additional provisions are needed for these groups. Stakeholders will likely debate the balance between timely delivery of ballots and logistical challenges that may arise in meeting these new requirements.