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Bill

Bill

SB 2143

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 5 co-sponsors

SB 2143 creates a statewide Chief Election Officer position to centralize Hawaii's fragmented election administration under unified leadership and oversight.

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kila, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Shimizu voting no (9) and none excused (0).
#chiefelectionofficer #electionscommission #vacancy #orderofsuccession
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2143

Legislative bill overview

SB 2143 establishes a new position of Chief Election Officer in Hawaii to oversee statewide election administration. The bill consolidates election-related duties currently distributed across multiple agencies under a single, dedicated leadership role accountable for voter registration, ballot management, and election security.

Why is this important

Election administration directly affects voting access, integrity, and public confidence in electoral outcomes. Centralizing authority under one professional officer could improve coordination and consistency across counties, though it represents a significant restructuring of Hawaii's current election governance model and raises questions about implementation and costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Centralization concerns: Whether consolidating election power under one state officer conflicts with Hawaii's county-based election system and local autonomy traditions
  • Appointment and accountability: How the Chief Election Officer is selected, whether they're subject to gubernatorial removal, and to whom they answer politically versus professionally
  • Resource allocation: Whether establishing a new state position requires additional funding, and whether that money comes from existing election budgets or new appropriations
  • Partisan implications: Whether this restructuring could affect how elections are administered in ways that favor certain political interests or voting blocs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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