Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB1055

Introduced
1/20/23  
Refer
1/27/23  
Introduced
1/20/23  

Caption

Relating To Elections.

Impact

The passage of SB1055 would modify Section 19-3 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by expanding the definition of election fraud to incorporate contemporary threats to voter safety and integrity. It seeks to deter fraudulent actions and intimidation tactics that can compromise the electoral franchise. The enforcement of these new provisions could lead to stricter monitoring and accountability for actions surrounding election events, creating a safer environment for voters and potentially increasing public confidence in the electoral process.

Summary

Senate Bill 1055 proposes amendments to existing election laws in Hawaii, specifically targeting the definitions and penalties associated with election fraud. This legislation seeks to clarify the various actions that constitute election fraud and the specific practices deemed as intimidation during elections. Notably, it includes provisions that label the carrying of firearms and photographing voters without consent as forms of voter intimidation. By outlining these actions explicitly, the bill aims to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure the freedom of citizens to participate without the fear of coercion or harassment.

Contention

While supporters of SB1055 argue that these measures are necessary to combat growing concerns regarding voter intimidation and election integrity, opponents may view these provisions as excessive or an infringement on the rights of individuals, particularly when it comes to freedoms related to firearms. Additionally, the introduction of legislation that governs how voters are documented and photographed at polling places may raise privacy concerns. As with many election laws, balancing security and voter rights will likely be a point of contention in legislative discussions surrounding this bill.

Companion Bills

HI SB1055

Carry Over Relating To Elections.

Previously Filed As

HI SB1055

Relating To Elections.

HI SB2702

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 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.

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 SB01225

An Act Concerning Referenda, Independent Expenditures, State Elections Enforcement Commission Complaints And Repayment Of Surplus Citizens' Election Program Grant Funds.

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