Bill > HB1761

This bill aims to reform election processes by increasing in-person voting access, enhancing public confidence, and improving accountability in how election results are certified. Key changes include ensuring at least one voter service center is open on election day in each county council district, and prohibiting the use of ranked-choice voting, a system where voters rank candidates and votes are redistributed in rounds until a majority winner is determined. The bill also mandates that election results be certified based on a reconciliation of various records, including physical ballots used in audits, and requires the public posting of detailed election data such as ballot images and reconciliation reports. Furthermore, official observers will be present during signature verification of ballot envelopes, and mandatory recounts will be conducted manually using paper ballots if the original count used electronic equipment, with the threshold for a recount being a difference of 250 votes or less than one percent. Finally, the bill transitions the position of the chief election officer from an appointed role to an elected one, starting in the 2030 general election, and clarifies the duties and appointment process for this position.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1761&year=2026