HI SR128

Requests the Office of Elections to convene a working group to study automatic voter registration and make recommendations on changing Hawaii's system from opt-in to opt-out.

Working group to include the Chief Election Officer (chairperson), Director of the Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu, and representatives from Common Cause Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Honolulu, and the Institute for Responsive Government.

Notes Hawaii's 2024 primary election had the lowest turnout in 65 years at 32.1 percent of registered voters, and the current 2021 automatic voter registration system is opt-in, placing responsibility on individual voters rather than maximizing participation.

Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.