HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	122
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the office of elections to convene a working group to examine the fiscal impacts, potential cost savings, administrative considerations, and broader policy implications of eliminating primary elections and implementing ranked-choice voting in general and special elections.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's primary election system fails to engage a majority of registered voters; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2024, of the 839,618 registered voters in Hawaii, only 271,345 voters participated in the primary election, representing 32.3 percent turnout, compared to 522,236 voters, or 60.7 percent, who participated in the general election; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's open primary system permits voters registered with one political party to select another party's ballot, thereby altering the traditional purpose of party nomination processes; and

 

     WHEREAS, under the plurality system, candidates may be elected without majority support when multiple candidates divide the vote in crowded races; and

 

     WHEREAS, primary elections cost Hawaii taxpayers more than $5,000,000 to administer, including costs for staffing and labor, facilities and equipment, printing and postage, tabulation, and election logistics; and

 

     WHEREAS, ranked-choice voting is an electoral method used for more than a century in countries such as Australia, Ireland, and Malta, demonstrating long-term reliability and effectiveness; and

     WHEREAS, ranked-choice voting requires a candidate in a single-seat race to obtain fifty percent of the vote plus one, thereby ensuring majority support; and

 

     WHEREAS, ranked-choice voting mitigates the "spoiler effect", allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference so that votes are not wasted and similarly positioned candidates do not disadvantage one another; and

 

     WHEREAS, jurisdictions utilizing ranked-choice voting report that more than ninety percent of voters help elect one of their top three choices, voter turnout increases by five to seven percent, and campaign discourse becomes less negative; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature enacted Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, which established ranked-choice voting for special federal elections and special elections to fill vacant county council seats; and

 

     WHEREAS, eliminating primary elections and implementing ranked-choice voting in general elections may expand voter participation in candidate selection, reduce costs, and promote a more representative and democratic electoral process; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Office of Elections is requested to convene a working group to examine the fiscal impacts, potential cost savings, administrative considerations, and broader policy implications of eliminating primary elections and implementing ranked-choice voting in general and special elections; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

 

     (1)  The Chief Election Officer, or the Chief Election Officer's designee, who is requested to serve as chair of the working group;

 

     (2)  The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee;

 

     (3)  One member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

     (4)  One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (5)  Members representing political parties in the State, to be invited by the chair; and

 

     (6)  Members of the public with expertise in election administration and public finance, to be invited by the chair; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

 

     (1)  Conduct a comprehensive fiscal analysis comparing the current costs of administering primary and general elections with the projected costs of conducting a single general election utilizing ranked-choice voting;

 

     (2)  Evaluate the administrative, technological, and voter education requirements associated with statewide implementation of ranked-choice voting;

 

     (3)  Examine voter turnout data and electoral outcomes in jurisdictions that have adopted ranked-choice voting;

 

     (4)  Assess legal and constitutional considerations, including potential amendments to articles II and III of the Hawaii State Constitution;

 

     (5)  Analyze the projected impact of eliminating primary elections on political parties, candidates, and voter participation; and

 

     (6)  Develop recommendations regarding whether to propose constitutional amendments to:

 

          (A)  Require ranked-choice voting in general and special elections; and

 

          (B)  Eliminate primary elections; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General and Chief Election Officer.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Ranked-Choice Voting; Primary Elections; Working Group; Office of Elections; Chief Election Officer