FACTSHEET ELECTIONEERING AND CAMPAIGNING

ELECTIONEERING

Hawaii Revised Statutes §11-132 provides:

"...(a) The precinct officials shall post in a conspicuous place, prior to the opening of the polls, a map designating an area of two hundred feet from the perimeter of the polling place and its appurtenances. Any person who remains or loiters within an area of two hundred feet from the perimeter of the polling place and its appurtenances for the purpose of campaigning shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. For the purposes of this section, a polling place and its appurtenances shall include:

(1)

The building in which the polling place is located;

(2)

Any parking lot adjacent to the building and routinely used for parking at that building;

(3)

The routes of access between the building and any parking lot; and

(4)

Any route of access between any public thoroughfare (right of way) and the polling place to ensure an open and accessible ingress and egress to and from the polling place for voters...

"...(d) Within the appropriate boundary as established in subsection (a), and the building in which the polling place is located, the display or distribution of campaign posters, signs, or other campaign materials for the purpose of soliciting votes for or against any person or political party or position on a question is prohibited. Any voter who displays campaign material in the polling place shall remove or cover that material before entering the polling place..."

CAMPAIGNING

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §19-6:

“The following persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor: ... (7) Any person, including candidates carrying on any campaign activities within the area described in section 11-132 during the period of time starting one hour before the polling place opens and ending when the polling place closes for the purposes of influencing voters. Campaign activities shall include the following:

(A)

Any distribution, circulation, carrying, holding, posting, or staking of campaign cards, pamphlets, posters, and other literature;

(B)

The use of public address systems and other public communication media;

(C)

The use of motor caravans or parades; and

(D)

The use of entertainment troupes or the free distribution of goods and services..."

Cars and other vehicles with political signs and stickers may remain within the two hundred foot perimeter only during the time their drivers or occupants are actually voting. Precinct officials who have cars with political bumper stickers must cover the stickers for the day.

Election Day violations should be reported to the Office of Elections Control Center Voter Hotline: 453-VOTE (8683), or from neighbor islands 1-800-442- VOTE (8683).

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 - FSVS506B 03/05/01