Hawaii Senate Bill SB2953

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/24/24

Caption

Relating To Elections.

Impact

The removal of the boards of registration will lead to changes in the existing statutes concerning how voter residency is determined and how appeals are processed. Specifically, the responsibilities previously managed by these boards will now shift to the intermediate appellate court, thereby centralizing the decision-making process in the judiciary rather than at the local administrative level. This change could impact how quickly voter challenges are resolved, potentially leading to an increased reliance on the courts during election periods.

Summary

Senate Bill 2953 aims to overhaul aspects of the electoral process in Hawaii by abolishing the boards of registration. These boards were initially created to resolve voter challenges and disputes at the precinct level, but with the shift to a vote-by-mail system, the need for such boards has decreased significantly. The bill argues that the majority of cases that these boards handled have been appealed to higher courts, indicating a redundancy in their function. As a result, the bill is positioned as a means to streamline the electoral process by removing unnecessary bureaucratic steps connected to voter registration challenges.

Contention

The bill may garner mixed reactions. Advocates for the bill argue that it would simplify the electoral process and alleviate the burden on local election officials, ultimately making voting more efficient. However, opponents may express concerns that abolishing the boards may lead to reduced oversight and lower accountability in managing voter challenges. Furthermore, there may be apprehensions about the courts being flooded with additional election-related appeals, which could hamper timely resolutions during critical election periods.