HB 1401 Summary

• Requires all Hawaii elections statewide to be conducted by mail beginning with the 2020 primary election, with option for earlier implementation starting January 1, 2018.

• Establishes voter service centers open from ten business days before election through election day to receive mail-in ballots, provide voting assistance for persons with disabilities, offer same-day voter registration, and deliver other election services.

• Creates places of deposit for personal delivery of mail-in ballots open five business days before election through 6:00 p.m. the day before election.

• Appropriates funds for implementation and administration of mail-in voting system, with 50% of appropriation available to counties as grants for startup and transition costs.

• Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 through 2023 on implementation progress, resource needs, fraud prevention measures, and recommended legislative changes.