REP GRC 007 10/04/2011 2010-2012

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DATE: October 4, 2011 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 9:31 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Re: Comm. 390/Resolution 170 -11 Your Committee on Governmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution 170 -11, reports as follows: Resolution No. 170 -11, transmitted by Council Member Brenda Ford via Communication No. 390, dated September 22, 2011, requests the Legislature of the State of Hawai`i to enact a bill to establish a pilot program for vote by mail for all federal, state, and county primary, general, and special elections in the county of Hawai`i, and to make an appropriation for this pilot program. Ms. Ford entered a motion to amend with Ms. Smart second. Communication 390.1 enters the amendment which replaces exhibit A of Resolution 170 -11. This amendment corrects errors in the previous version and is a full replacement. There is new item (11- 91.5(e)). The motion carried with 7 ayes and 2 excused. Ms. Ford has supported vote by mail (VBM) each term she has been in office. She notes that this method works in many sections of the country. Her bill provides several attachments to provide examples that help to explain the program and statistics on the potential for a Hawai`i County pilot program. This bill would not become law until 2014 and therefore plenty of time to plan and implement. There are currently three methods to vote, absentee mail -in, absentee walk - in, and walk -in general. We need to improve voter turnout. This State has the lowest turn out in the country and we need to reach out and help them to vote. People have trouble getting to the polls due to traffic, accidents and transportation. With materials available they have time to study, practice and learn how to vote. Mr. Hoffman is in favor of a pilot to improve voter turnout. Is there any estimate of cost? Ms. Ford replied that there would be no saving in the initial year but it would not cost more than what we are already spending. Savings would occur in succeeding years at an estimated 10% to 30 %. Mr. Onishi attended WIR Conference last year and had opportunity to speak with an Oregon representative on this subject. That person said that they had a good turnout initially but turnout diminished in time. The message he, Mr. Onishi, hears in his district that voter turnout is poor due to lack of quality of candidates and that "they don't listen to us ". His first term had 66% to 67% voter turnout. We already have mail -in by request. Has Ms. Ford spoken to anyone at the GRC Report No. 7