Bill > SB2315

This bill proposes to amend Article XVII, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution to change how voters approve amendments to the constitution that are proposed by the Legislature. Currently, for an amendment to pass, a majority of "yes" votes must be cast, and this majority must also represent at least 50% of all votes cast in the election, meaning blank, spoiled, or overvoted ballots are counted as "no" votes. This bill seeks to simplify this by requiring only a majority of all the votes specifically tallied on the question itself to be "yes" votes, effectively meaning that only ballots explicitly marked "no" would be counted as such, and blank, spoiled, or overvoted ballots would not be counted against the amendment. This change is intended to make the approval process clearer and potentially more reflective of the direct intent of voters on the amendment question, and it is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2315&year=2026