Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB2702

Introduced
1/19/24  
Refer
1/24/24  
Introduced
1/19/24  

Caption

Relating To Elections.

Impact

If passed, SB2702 would significantly impact the legal framework governing elections in Hawaii. It aims to enhance protections for voters by establishing clearer definitions of intimidation tactics that cross legal boundaries. The intention of this bill is to safeguard voters from coercion and threats while ensuring that elections can occur without the specter of intimidation hanging over them. This could lead to increased public confidence in the electoral process.

Summary

Senate Bill 2702 is designed to strengthen provisions against election fraud and voter intimidation in Hawaii. The bill specifically amends Section 19-3 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to outline various forms of election fraud and intimidation. Notably, it includes carrying firearms or weapons and photographing voters without consent as forms of intimidation that can compromise the free exercise of electoral rights. This reflects a growing concern regarding voter safety and the integrity of the electoral process.

Conclusion

In summary, SB2702 stands at the intersection of voter rights and gun rights, aiming to strengthen election integrity through preventive measures against fraud and intimidation. As the legislative discussions unfold, key stakeholders—including lawmakers, civil rights advocates, and Second Amendment proponents—will need to weigh the balance between protecting voters and ensuring constitutional rights are respected.

Contention

The bill could face opposition from individuals and groups concerned about the implications for Second Amendment rights and the enforcement of laws related to firearms. While its proponents argue that the inclusion of these provisions is necessary for protecting voters, critics may contend that it could unfairly limit the rights of law-abiding citizens. Furthermore, there may be discussions around how broadly these intimidation tactics are defined, which could lead to ambiguities in enforcement policy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

HI SB1055

Relating To Elections.

HI SB1055

Relating To Elections.

HI SB1030

Relating To Elections.

HI SB1541

Relating To Voting More Than Once During An Election.

HI HB2289

Relating To Election Integrity.

HI SB2415

Relating To Election Integrity.

HI SB0404

Elections: voting procedures; voter access and assistance provisions; provide for. Amends secs. 726, 736, 751 & 931 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.726 et seq.); adds secs. 726a, 753 & 753a & repeals sec. 579 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.579).

HI HB4568

Elections: offenses; prohibition on the hiring of transportation assistance to the polls; eliminate. Amends sec. 931 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.931).

HI SB603

In district election officers, further providing for appointment of watchers; in Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board, further providing for Pennsylvania Election Law Advisory Board; in recounts and contests, providing for powers and duties of the Attorney General relating to elections; and, in penalties, further providing for disobeying lawful instructions, for perjury, for false affidavits of candidates, for refusal to permit inspection of papers, destruction or removal and Secretary of the Commonwealth, for refusal to permit inspection of papers, destruction or removal and county boards of elections, for insertion and alteration of entries in documents, removal and refusal to deliver, for refusal to permit overseers, watchers, attorneys or candidates to act, for driving away watchers, attorneys, candidates or overseers, for refusal to permit election officers, clerks and machine inspectors to act and driving away said persons, for refusal to administer oath and acting without being sworn, for violation of oath of office by election officers, for peace officers, failure to render assistance and hindering or delaying county board members and others, for nomination petitions and papers and offenses by signers, for false signatures and statements in nomination petitions and papers, for nomination petitions, certificates and papers, destruction, fraudulent filing and suppression, for offenses by printers of ballots, for unlawful possession of ballots and counterfeiting ballots, for forging and destroying ballots, for tampering with voting machines, for destroying, defacing or removing notices, et cetera, for police officers at polling places, for peace officer, failure to quell disturbances at polls, hindering or delaying election officers and others, for election officers permitting unregistered electors to vote, challenges and refusing to permit qualified electors to vote, for election officers refusing to permit elector to vote in proper party at primaries, for frauds by election officers, for prying into ballots, for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy, for persons interfering in other districts, for assault and battery at polls, for unlawful assistance in voting, for election officers permitting unlawful assistance, for failure to keep and return record of assisted voters, for unlawful voting, for elector voting ballot of wrong party at primary, for repeat voting at elections, for removing ballots, for commissioners to take soldiers' votes, for fraudulent voting by soldiers, for bribery at elections, for receipts and disbursements of primary and election expenses by persons other than candidates and treasurers, for receipts of primary and election expenses by unauthorized persons, for contributions by corporations or unincorporated associations, for failure to file expense account, for prohibiting duress and intimidation of voters and interference with the free exercise of the elective franchise, for failure to perform duty, for hindering or delaying performance of duty and for violation of any provision of act.

HI HB05428

An Act Concerning The Powers And Duties Of The State Elections Enforcement Commission And Revisions To Election Laws.

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