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HCR 181

REQUESTING THAT THE HAWAII STATE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS CONVENE A WORKING GROUP ON AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 8 co-sponsors

Hawaii asks the Office of Elections to convene a working group on automatic voter registration to study AVR and report findings and proposed legislation before the 2026 session.

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 22
#requestingthatthehawaiistateofficeofelectionsconveneaworkinggrouponautomaticvoterregistration.
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Bill Summary · HCR 181

Summary of HCR181 — Requesting that the Hawaii State Office of Elections convene a working group on automatic voter registration

Purpose and intent

  • HCR181 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the Hawaii House (Regular Session 2025) that requests the Hawaii State Office of Elections to convene a working group on automatic voter registration (AVR).
  • The resolution argues that increasing voter registration accessibility—through AVR—can boost turnout, enhance election security and efficiency, and reduce costs. It notes Hawaii’s historically low turnout (e.g., 2024 primary had 32.1% of registered voters casting ballots) and recommends transitioning from an opt-in AVR system to an opt-out model to broaden participation.

Key provisions

  • The Hawaii State Office of Elections is requested to convene a working group on automatic voter registration.
  • The working group’s purpose is to examine AVR and related reforms, including potential legislation.
  • The group must deliver findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

Membership and leadership

The working group is to include:
1. The Chief Election Officer (or the Chief Election Officer’s designee) who is requested to serve as chairperson.
2. The Director of the Honolulu Department of Customer Services (or the director’s designee).
3. A representative from Common Cause Hawaii.
4. A representative from the League of Women Voters.
5. A representative from the Institute for Responsive Government.

Reporting requirements

  • The group must prepare and submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by the specified deadline (no later than 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convening).

Timeline and procedural context

  • Introduced: March 7, 2025.
  • Referred to: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) on March 14, 2025 (ref. sheet 22).
  • Status: Concurrent resolution (HCR181), indicating a formal expression of the Legislature and a directive to the executive branch to form the working group; does not itself enact policy.
  • Related bill: HR176 (companion measure in the Senate or related chamber).

Who or what would be affected

  • The primary action would be the convening of a working group by the Hawaii State Office of Elections, with specified members from government agencies and civic organizations.
  • Any proposed AVR framework or legislation resulting from the group’s report could influence voter registration processes, data sharing with agencies (e.g., DMV-like entities), and voting participation mechanisms statewide.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If accepted, the resolution could lead to a formal review of AVR options, including a shift to opt-out registration, which might increase eligible voters who are registered and reduce barriers to participation.
  • The process emphasizes collaboration among government officials and civic organizations to balance participation gains with privacy, security, and administrative feasibility.
  • Any resulting legislation would require separate drafting and passage, subject to the usual legislative process.

Bottom line

HCR181 seeks to elevate AVR policy discussion in Hawaii by creating a multi-stakeholder working group to study automatic voter registration and report back with findings and possible legislative proposals before the 2026 Regular Session. It reflects legislative interest in improving turnout and modernizing registration while preserving election integrity.

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

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