FACTSHEET GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES

The process of voter registration is voluntary and must be respected as an individual right exercised solely by that citizen. Organizations essentially become an extension of the Office of Elections and the Office of the City/County Clerk when assisting with voter registration. Therefore, recruiters must be informed of the importance and the associated accountability of their actions when registering people to vote. The following are guidelines to assist organizations that wish to conduct a voter registration drive:

1. Be courteous, civil, and cordial when registering people to vote.

2. Be enthusiastic during the registration drive, but not overly assertive.

3. Do not infringe upon the public's right to refuse to register to vote.

4. Do not be coercive. Coercion means the exercise of force or intimidation to obtain a desired result. Such an action is considered a form of election fraud under Hawaii Revised States § 19-3(4) and is strictly prohibited.

5. Do not offer incentives.

6. Please remember that your registration drive WILL affect the public's perception of your organization.

In addition to the above guidelines, the following rules pertain to all registration drives:

"If registration drives are combined with campaigning or promoting political issues, the following shall apply:

(A)

Campaigning or promoting of political issues shall be prohibited during the execution of the voter registration form; and

(B)

The person distributing the registration form shall explain to the applicant desiring to register to vote that the campaigning or promoting of political issues is not tied to voter registration in any way;”

Hawaii Administrative Rules § 2-51-29(3)

"Completed voter registration forms shall not be collected by the distributing person or organization unless specific authorization is provided by the clerk or chief election officer. Each person who completes a registration form shall be directed to mail or deliver the completed registration form to the office of the appropriate clerk or the chief election officer.”

Hawaii Administrative Rules § 2-51-29 (4)

"Information provided by the person on the voter registration form is confidential until the registration application is accepted by the clerk and entered in the general county register. An individual or organization distributing or collecting the registration forms shall not duplicate, copy, or otherwise make use of any information provided on the voter registration form."

Hawaii Administrative Rules §2-51-29 (6)

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 - FSVS507B Mar. 2001