Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor (JDL) - chair: Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, vice chair: Maile S.L. Shimabukuro

Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 9:00 a.m., Room 016

Testifier: Janet F. Mason, Co Chair, Legislative Committee

Click here to view HB15 SD1

Chair Keith-Agaran, Vice-Chair Shimabukuro, and Committee Members: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii opposes HB15, Proposed SD1. The original bill created a statewide standard for distribution of absentee ballots. This is a good idea, which we supported. But the Proposed SD1 added an entirely new section having to do with removal of the Chair of the Elections Commission. Both subjects worthy of consideration? Yes, definitely. Hawaii is moving toward voting by mail. Under these circumstances standards for handling absentee ballot transmission are very important. Likewise, Election Commission governance procedures concern the League as they do any citizen interested in oversight of our elections. With the Proposed SD1, the bill’s new subject may pass the Legislature without adequate consideration by the House, which originated the bill. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony