Relating To Advisory Committees.
The proposed changes will amend Sections 11-10.5 and 11-10.6 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This amendment is significant as it mandates the creation of advisory committees at both the state and county levels, comprising members who identify as voters with various accessibility needs. The committee members, appointed based on recommendations from relevant organizations, will provide necessary oversight and suggestions to enhance election processes and services, ensuring that they cater effectively to disabled voters.
House Bill 131, as amended, addresses the establishment and functioning of statewide and county-level elections accessibility needs advisory committees in Hawaii. The bill seeks to rename existing committees which were previously focused solely on physical disabilities, expanding their scope to include individuals with a variety of disabilities, emphasizing a more inclusive approach to voter accessibility. This reform is geared towards ensuring that all voters, regardless of their disabilities, can access voter registration, casting of ballots, and other election services adequately.
Notable points of contention surrounding this bill include discussions on the adequacy of funding and support for these advisory committees to fulfill their roles effectively. Critics may argue about the logistics and resources required to implement these inclusive measures adequately. Moreover, there might be concerns regarding how well the recommendations from these committees are integrated into the broader electoral process and whether they will lead to meaningful improvements in voter accessibility for individuals with disabilities.