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HI HB2528

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/28/2026

Primary Sponsor

Kim Iwamoto

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Proposes amending the Hawaii State Constitution to require ranked-choice voting in all general and special elections statewide
  • Eliminates primary elections entirely, allowing all candidates to compete directly in the general election
  • Requires candidates to receive 50% plus one vote to win single-seat races under the ranked-choice system
  • Cites 2024 primary election turnout of only 32.3% (271,345 voters) compared to 60.7% general election turnout (522,236 voters) as justification for the change
  • Would save taxpayers over $5,000,000 currently spent administering primary elections for staffing, facilities, printing, and logistics

Legislative Description

Proposing Amendments To The Hawaii State Constitution To Require Ranked-choice Voting In Elections And Eliminate Primary Elections.

Constitutional Amendment

Last Action

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6

2/2/2026

Committee Referrals

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs2/2/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available