Passage of bills establish ranked choice voting and greater language accessibility for all people of Hawaii 

HONOLULU, HI – Today, Common Cause Hawaii announced the passage of three bills they advocated for during this legislative session to strengthen and protect democracy. Common Cause Hawaii successfully championed SB 2162, legislation establishing ranked choice voting for special federal elections and special vacant county council seats; HB 1883, legislation that requires notice of ballot translation services to all voters of Hawaii; and HB 2026, creating greater transparency for board and commission meetings. Each of the three pieces of legislation is headed to Governor Ige’s desk for his signature.

“Our democracy is stronger when everyone has a voice in determining our futures, no matter our first language or background,” said Sandy Ma, Common Cause Hawaii Executive Director. “These bills ensure that everyone may meaningfully and fully participate in our government and in our democracy by giving the people of Hawaii greater choice and power at the ballot box with ranked choice voting, making notice of ballot translation services available to all voters, and making boards and commissions more open and transparent. This legislative session was about creating a stronger and more accessible government and these bills do just that.”

Common Cause Hawaii and a network of pro-democracy activists and organizations united behind common-sense measures to improve government for Hawaii. Over the entire 2022 legislative session, supporters submitted written testimony, testified at hearings and contacted state legislators.

Governor Ige has until July 12, 2022 (the 45th day after session adjourns on May 5th) to sign the bills into law. If Governor Ige neither signs nor vetoes the bill by July 12, 2022, the bill becomes law without the Governor’s signature. If Governor Ige intends to veto the bill, the Governor must inform the Legislature by June 27, 2022 and deliver his veto list by July 12, 2022. If the bill is vetoed, it will not become law unless the Legislature overrides the veto in special session by a 2/3 vote in each chamber. The Legislature must convene in special session by noon on July 12, 2022 to override the Governor’s veto.