Tag: hawaii
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Hawaii legislators advance bill to restrict corporate political activity
On May 8, Hawaii legislators sent a bill to Gov. Joshua Green (D) that would prohibit corporations from spending money or participating in election or ballot measure activities. SB 2471 would amend state law to modify the powers given to corporations. The bill establishes that corporations have artificial-person powers, defined as the ability to carry…
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Over the past two weeks, six new ballot measures were certified in five states — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, and Louisiana
As of May 12, 105 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 37 states, 10 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity during the past two weeks: The most recent…
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Hawaii constitutional amendment on resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity (RISE) bonds referred to November 2026 ballot
The Hawaii State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot that would authorize counties and other local governments to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds, also known as RISE bonds. Legislators approved the amendment on May 6, 2026, sending it to voters for consideration. The ballot…
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Legislatures in 12 states set to adjourn in May as lawmakers consider at least 60 potential legislative ballot measures
Legislatures in 12 states—Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Vermont—are set to adjourn in May 2026. In the coming weeks, lawmakers in these states will decide whether to advance measures to the statewide ballot. Across these states, at least 60 potential ballot measures have already completed at least…
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Rhode Island Senate approves environmental rights amendment; three states have similar constitutional provisions
The Rhode Island State Senate passed a constitutional amendment to establish a right to clean air, clean water, healthy soil, a life-supporting climate, and preservation of the environment. Senate Resolution 327 (S. 327), introduced by State Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-37), passed the Senate in a vote of 32-4 on June 3. The constitutional amendment…
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Hawaii voters to decide in 2026 on amendment extending Senate review period for judicial appointments
The Hawaii State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment increasing the timeline for the state Senate to act on judicial appointments. The amendment will appear on the ballot for voter approval on Nov. 3, 2026. Currently, the state constitution requires the Senate to act on judicial appointments within 30 days. If the Senate does not reject…
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33% of elections in Hawaii are uncontested
Of 90 regular elections in Hawaii—30 (33%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Hawaii has the 23rd highest rate of…
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Six presidential tickets will appear on the ballot in Hawaii this November
Hawaii’s Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot will feature six presidential candidates and their running mates. They are: There are the same number of candidates on Hawaii’s presidential ballot compared to 2020. In 2020, Hawaii’s ballot had six candidates: Joe Biden (D), Donald Trump (R), Jo Jorgensen (L), Howie Hawkins (G), and two other minor…
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Hawaii Governor Josh Green signs bill requiring application to ERIC
On July 5, 2024, Hawaii Governor Josh Green (D) signed Senate Bill 2240, requiring the state’s Office of Elections to apply to join the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). The bill passed the Hawaii House of Representatives and State Senate unanimously on April 24. As of July 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia were members of ERIC, a multi-state voter list maintenance…
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Five candidates are running for Hawaii’s two U.S. House districts—the fewest in the last 10 years
This year’s filing deadline for candidates running for Congress in Hawaii was June 4, 2024. Five candidates are running for Hawaii’s two U.S. House districts, including three Democrats and two Republicans. That’s an average of 2.5 candidates per district. There was an average of 6.5 candidates per district in 2022, 9.5 candidates per district in…