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Bill

SR 109

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT AN INDIVIDUAL FROM WITHIN THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS TO TEMPORARILY SERVE AS THE ACTING CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY.

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

Hawaii Governor must appoint acting Chief Election Officer from within existing Office of Elections staff during vacancies to maintain election administration continuity.

Offered.
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Bill Summary · SR 109

Legislative bill overview

SR 109 is a senate resolution requesting that Hawaii's Governor fill temporary vacancies in the Chief Election Officer position by appointing someone already employed within the Office of Elections, rather than seeking external candidates. This ensures continuity of leadership during transitions without requiring a lengthy recruitment process.

Why is this important

Election administration requires specialized knowledge of state procedures, systems, and ongoing operations. Having an internal interim leader minimizes disruption to critical election activities like voter registration, ballot preparation, and poll management. This is particularly significant in the months before general elections when the office operates at peak capacity.

Potential points of contention

  • Limiting pool of talent: Requiring appointment from within may exclude qualified external candidates who could bring fresh perspectives or specialized expertise the office lacks
  • Career advancement concerns: Internal staff may feel pressured or compromised if passed over for the temporary role, and the resolution doesn't clarify whether this is a path to permanent appointment
  • Adequacy of internal candidates: The resolution assumes the Office of Elections always has someone qualified and ready to step into the top role, which may not always be true depending on staffing levels and expertise distribution

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

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