Elections by Mail

House Committee on Judiciary (JUD) - chair: Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, vice chair: Karl Rhoads

Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 2:00 pm., Conf Rm 325

Testifier: Marian W. Wilkins, LWV Elections Committee Member

Click here to view HB2251

Chair Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair Rhoads and Committee Members: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports HB 2251. One of the reasons that the our League supports voting by mail in general is the hardship for people to get to the polls in the hours that polls are open. Many people commute long distances to work or work shifts. The polls do not open until 7:00 a.m. and it may be difficult for them to get to the polls before 6:00 p.m. Now that we are allowed to vote by permanent absentee balloting, it is easier for everyone to vote, but many still do not take advantage of this option because they don’t know about it or just don’t get around to it in time. Mailing ballots to registered voters solves many of these problems. The League supports extending voting by mail whenever possible when proper safeguards and the necessary mechanism is in place to assure the public that their ballots are secure. Thank you for your consideration.