RELATING TO VOTER INFORMATION.

SB2461

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2461

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to voter information
.

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 it is
beneficial for voters in the State to have as much information as possible
about a candidate running for office, including a candidate's position on
pertinent issues.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to require the office of elections to:

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(1)
�
Prepare a questionnaire of certain
issues to which a candidate may respond; and

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(2)
�
Publish a candidate's responses to the
questionnaire

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(A)
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On the office's website; and

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(B)
�
In the digital voter information guide.

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SECTION

2
.
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Chapter 11,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VIII to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
�11-
�
Candidate questionnaire; requirements;
publication of candidate responses.
�

(a)
�
Beginning with the 2028
primary election, before each election cycle, the office of elections shall:

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(1)
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Prepare a candidate questionnaire
comprising not more than ten questions; and

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(2)
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Issue the candidate questionnaire to
each candidate running for a public office within
days from the date that a candidate files their
nomination papers.

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(b)
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The questions shall be based on:

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(1)
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Major recurring budget items funded
by the State within the past ten years;

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(2)
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Significant bills introduced in the
two most recent regular legislative sessions;

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(3)
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Tax policy, including a comparison
of the State's overall tax burden, income tax rates, general excise tax,
corporate taxes, and taxes on essentials in comparison to other states; and

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(4)
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A comparison of the State's
infrastructure and public schools rank to those of other states with respect to
the amount that the State taxes individuals per capita.

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(c)
�
A candidate who chooses to respond to any
question on the candidate questionnaire shall provide a written response to the
office of elections; provided that a written response to a question based on
subparagraphs b(3) or (4) shall describe the candidate's position on the reform
or maintenance of:

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(1)
�
The State's tax code; and

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(2)
�
The areas described in paragraph
b(4).

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(d)
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The office of elections shall publish a
candidate's written responses, if any:

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(1)
�
On its website; and

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(2)
�
In the digital voter information
guide,

no later
than eighteen days before the day of the primary election.
"

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SECTION

3
.
�
Section 11-122,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as
follows:

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"(b)
�
The digital voter information guide shall
include:

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(1)
�
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 written responses to the
candidate questionnaire of each candidate, if any, pursuant to section
11- ;

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[
(2)
]

(3)
�
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)
]

(4)
�
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)
�
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)
]

(5)
�
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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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 January
1, 2027.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Office of
Elections; Digital Voter Information Guide; Candidates; Questionnaire

Description:

Requires
the Office of Elections to prepare a questionnaire on certain issues to which
candidates may respond.
�
Requires the
Office of Elections to publish any responses provided by a candidate on its
website and in the digital voter information guide no later than eighteen days
before a primary election.
�
Effective
1/1/2027.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.