Super Pacs and special interest groups can hijack Hawaii's elections if late voter registration bill is enacted

News Release from Office of Sen. Sam Slom

Honolulu - April 28, 2014 — Super PACs and special interest groups look set to have the opportunity to hijack all future elections in Hawaii if HB2590 CD1 passes tomorrow.  HB2590 allows people to register at the polling booth, on Election Day.  Proof of residence in Hawaii will require no more than listing a few personal details, and alleging a Hawaii residence by stating the residence was acquired "...with the intent to make Hawaii the person's legal residence..."[1]

Senator Sam Slom points out that the bill creates a great potential for abuse and fraud.  Senator Slom points out that people could come from anywhere on the mainland to register in Hawaii on an election day if a political action group wants to win or hold a seat that ensures their interests are maintained.  Senator Slom says "any punishment for fraudulently enrolling on the day of election is a farce because Hawaii's authorities are unlikely to go combing the mainland spending thousands of dollars to extradite individuals back to Hawaii to face justice for fraudulently enrolling and voting and then skipping back to the mainland state two weeks or a month later."  Cross-referencing technology for voter registrations remains limited.

Senator Sam Slom lists at least four other reasons he is against this bill:

1. People have plenty of time to register, and we have made it extremely easy with "wiki-forms" and by having people at almost every public event to register voters;

2. Registration does not equate to voting because at the last election we only had 48% of registered voters come out and vote;

3. In Hawaii people don't vote, not because of registration issues, but because of the lack of competitive races, one party domination, and lack of empowerment tools such as Initiative, Referendum and Recall; and

4. And finally, there will be additional costs.

Costs start with $100,000 HB2590 appropriates to help implement this law.

# # # # #

Late voter registration: HB2590

[1] HRS §11-15 affidavit to contain the person's name, SSN, DOB, that the person is a citizen, residence including mailing address, and that the residence is not simply because of presence in Hawaii but was acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the person's legal residence with all the accompanying obligations therein.

VIDEO:

Rep. Fukumoto Addresses HB2590 – Voting; Late Registration

Rep. Ward Addresses HB2590 Voting; Late Registration

Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson Addresses HB2590 – Voting