STAND. COM. REP. NO.1203

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.C.R. No. 117

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 117 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY OF SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Office of Elections to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of providing same-day voter registration for Hawaii residents who desire to participate in elections.

Supportive testimony was submitted by the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, the Center for Voting and Democracy, Common Cause Hawaii, and a concerned citizen. The Office of Elections testified in support of the intent of the measure.

Historically, voter participation on the national level has shown a decrease over the past twenty years. In an effort to stem this trend, election administrators in the State of Hawaii and nationwide have undertaken efforts to remove "administrative obstacles and impediments" to improve the public's access to voter registration. These efforts include:

(1) The establishment of self-subscribing mail-in affidavits found at all State agencies, State libraries, Post Offices, the Yellow Pages of the phone book and on the internet; and

(2) The implementation of the "Motor Voter" registration program, which allows the public to register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver's license.

Unfortunately, the problem of declining voter participation does not appear to be one that can be easily addressed by administrative measures. It will require the collaborative efforts of the political parties, candidates, elected officials, civil and community organizations, and election administrators.

Accordingly, your Committee believes the study proposed by this measure will provide the Legislature with concrete recommendations on ways of enhancing voter participation – and in particular whether the establishment of a same-day voter registration program in our State is feasible and warranted.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 117 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair