HI HCR223

Requests the Chief Election Officer to convene a working group to study the feasibility of lowering Hawaii's voting age from 18 to 16 years old

Working group composition includes the Chief Election Officer as chair, Superintendent of Education, one Senator, one House member, a representative from Common Cause Hawaii, and other members as deemed appropriate

Directs the working group to develop a pilot program for 16-year-old voters and propose legislation to implement voting age reduction

Requires a report with findings, recommendations, pilot program details, and proposed legislation to be submitted to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the start of the 2016 regular session

Cites rationale that 16-year-olds can work and pay taxes, and that early voting would increase civic engagement and voter turnout in subsequent years