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SB2453
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2453
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to voting
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the introduction
of the digital voter information guide beginning in 2024
has greatly
improved voter access to information about the issues and candidates on the
ballot in an election.
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However, a lack
of publicization and information about the voter guide has left it
underutilized.
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For example, the notice
informing voters about the digital guide was included only in small print at
the bottom of the ballot secrecy sleeve for the 2024 primary election.
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No notice was required to be included
alongside ballots for the 2024 general election, and it does not appear that
one was.
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To eliminate confusion about
how to access the voter guide, and to ensure that voters make the most of this
excellent and essential resource, clarification is needed.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to improve voter awareness and usage of the voter
guide by clarifying the manner in which the public is informed about the guide.
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SECTION
2
.
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Section 11-122,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
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"�11-122
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Digital
voter information guide.
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(a)
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The office of elections shall:
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(1)
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Prepare a digital voter information
guide, which shall be posted on the office of elections website in a screen
reader-accessible format for voters with special needs who are unable to read
standard print due to disability;
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(2)
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Provide a translation of the digital
voter information guide in Olelo Hawaii on its website; and
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(3)
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Provide printed copies of the digital
voter information guide to all public libraries for viewing by the public.
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(b)
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The digital voter information guide shall
include:
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(1)
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A photograph and short statement of
less than one hundred fifty words for each candidate running for public office,
to be prepared by the candidate; provided that the office of elections may
uniformly limit the number of words for the candidate statement by applicable
public office;
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(2)
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The explanation drafted by the
department of the attorney general of each state constitutional amendment that
will be proposed to voters in the next general election pursuant to section
11-118.5(b); provided that the department of the attorney general shall
transmit the materials required by this paragraph to the office of elections no
later than seventy-five days before the general election;
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(3)
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A clear and concise explanation,
drafted by the appropriate county corporation counsel, for each proposed county
charter amendment, proposed initiative, and proposed referendum issue; provided
that the respective corporation counsel shall:
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(A)
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Translate the explanation into Olelo
Hawaii and any other languages required under the federal Voting Rights Act, as
specified by the office of elections; and
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(B)
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Transmit the materials required by this
paragraph to the office of elections no later than seventy
‑
five days before the general
election; and
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(4)
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Information regarding mailing
deadlines, places of deposit locations, same day voter registration, accessible
voting locations, and opening hours of voter service centers.
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(c)
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The office of elections shall prepare and
mail with each ballot for a primary
and general
election a notice to
voters that a digital voter information guide is available on the office of
elections website[
.
]
and in print at all public libraries.
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The notice shall be included as a separate
insert printed in thirty-two-point font and enclosed with the ballot.
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The notice shall be sent by electronic mail to
all voters with special needs who have registered to receive alternate format
ballots.
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The office of elections
shall also maintain on its website a banner, pop-up, splash page, or other
similarly conspicuous notice informing visitors about the availability of the
voter guide, explaining the different types of guides available, and enabling
access to the guide with a single click.
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The notice shall be present whenever a current voter guide is available
on the website.
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(d)
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The office of elections shall make the
digital voter information guide available to the public no later than twenty‑one
days before the primary election, and no later than fifty days before the
general election.
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[
(d)
]
(e)
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Information made available
over the Internet pursuant to this section shall meet or exceed the most
current, ratified standards under section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
2.0 adopted by the World Wide Web Consortium for accessibility.
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[
(e)
]
(f)
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Notwithstanding chapter 92F
and any other law to the contrary, the contents of subsection (b) shall not be
released to any requestor in whole or in part before the public release of the
entire guide."
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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $90,000 or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the office of elections to
print and insert an additional instruction sheet into each mail ballot packet
as required by this Act.
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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes
of this Act.
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SECTION
4.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.
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SECTION
5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Office of
Elections; Voter Guide; Notice; Appropriation
Description:
Requires
the Office of Elections to include a notice to voters that a digital and print
voter information guide is available.
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Requires
the notice to be in thirty-two-point font and enclosed as a separate insert
with each ballot.
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Requires the Office of
Elections to maintain a notice on its website providing certain information
about the voter information guide.
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Requires
the Office of Elections to make the digital voter information guide available
to the public no later than twenty-one days before the primary election and no
later than fifty days before the general election.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.