FACTSHEET BOARDS OF REGISTRATION

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Boards of Registration is to hear and decide appeals that arise from a voter challenge or from an appeal of a clerk’s decision regarding voter registration. The Boards of Registration and their duties and powers are set forth in Chapter 11 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS).

COMPOSITION [HRS §11- 41]

There is one Board of Registration for each of the basic island units:

  1. Island of Oahu

  2. Island of Hawaii

  3. Island of Maui (including Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe)

  4. Island of Kauai (including Niihau)

Each Board consists of three members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Board members are appointed for four-year terms. In no case are all members of a single Board of Registration from the same political party.

The Boards of Registration are attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services for administrative purposes. When convened, the Boards of Registration are supported by the Chief Election Officer (or his representative), the City or County Clerk, Legal Counsel from the Office of the Attorney General, and a secretary.

APPOINTED BOARDS OF REGISTRATION MEMBERS

Island of Oahu Board Members

Lisa Keala Carter Maureen K. Muraoka Victoria A. Franco

Island of Hawaii Board Members

Carol M. Jung Beverly Jean Withington

Vacancy

Island of Kauai (including Niihau) Board Members

Patrick J. Childs Daniel Kawamura Paula A. Zina

Island of Maui (including Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe) Board Members

Thomas A. Hughes, III Stephen J. Pfister Vacancy

The several Boards of Registration sit in their respective counties on Election Day. At the request of the City or County Clerk, the Boards of Registration also convene to hear appeals and remain convened until all appeals have been heard [HRS §11-41(c)].

REGISTRATION DISPUTES [HRS §11-22(b), §11-26(c), §11-51]

VOTER CHALLENGES PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY [HRS §11-25(a)]

Prior to Election Day, any registered voter may challenge the right of a person to be or to remain registered as a voter.

  1. The challenge should be in writing, explaining the grounds upon which it is based, and be signed by the person making the challenge.

  2. The Clerk upon receipt of a written challenge shall investigate and rule on the challenge as soon as possible.

VOTER CHALLENGES ON ELECTION DAY [HRS §11-25(b)]

APPEAL FROM RULING ON CHALLENGE [HRS §11-26, HRS §11-51]

COMPENSATION [HRS §11-42]

Members of the Boards of Registration shall be compensated pursuant to a schedule established by the Chief Election Officer. The schedule shall be contained in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91. [L 1970, c26, pt of §2; am L 1979, c133, §1; am L 1987, c 210, §1; am L 1998, c 56, §1]

RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS [HRS §11-44]

The several Boards of Registration shall each keep books of record in which full and detailed minutes shall be preserved of all their proceedings. The day-to-day file includes date and place of meeting, names of the Board of Registration members present, person whom oath is administered, name of challenger, and all other matters of detail that are likely to have bearing upon the action of the board or any person appearing before it.

This Factsheet is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as an authority on the Hawaii election law and deadlines. Requirements and/or deadlines may change pending changes in legislation. Consult the Hawaii Revised Statues and other sources for more detailed and accurate requirements.

Office of Elections 802 Lehua Avenue Pearl City, Hawaii 96782 Phone: 808-453-VOTE (8683) Neighbor Island Toll Free: 1-800-442-VOTE (8683)

Office of Elections - FSPO400R Rev. 11/09/07