Automatic Voter Registration at DMV
Hawaii Legislative Events
Summary
Hawaii SB2239 passed the Senate and House committees, requiring automatic voter registration for individuals applying for driver's licenses or state ID cards at the DMV. Under the bill, voters would be automatically registered unless they affirmatively decline, and existing voter registrations would be automatically updated with DMV address changes unless declined. The bill passed the Senate 24-0 and awaits further House action.
What changed
SB2239 establishes automatic voter registration at Hawaii DMV locations for individuals applying for driver's licenses or state identification cards. The bill creates an opt-out system where eligible citizens are registered to vote automatically unless they affirmatively decline. Additionally, the bill requires automatic updates to existing voter registrations when DMV address changes occur, unless the voter opts out. The effective date listed as 7/1/3000 appears to be a drafting error.\n\nFor Hawaii residents applying for or renewing driver's licenses or state IDs, this means voter registration will occur automatically as part of the transaction process. DMV staff will need to implement new procedures for offering opt-out forms and maintaining records of declinations. Government agencies administering elections should prepare for potential increases in voter registration volumes and ensure systems can receive automated registration data from the DMV.
What to do next
- Monitor SB2239 for gubernatorial action and final enactment
- Review internal DMV processes for implementing automatic voter registration if bill becomes law
- Prepare voter registration opt-out procedures for DMV counters
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2239 Passed SB2239 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To Voter Registration.
Requires a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license to be automatically registered to vote unless the person affirmatively declines, subject to certain conditions. Requires the name and address of a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license and is registered to vote to be automatically updated on the person's voter registration record unless the person affirmatively declines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Stanley Chang (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 12 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 3 Noes: Representative(s) Hartsfield, Alcos, Gedeon; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa. 2026-04-02 H Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-04-02 H The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26. 2026-03-31 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-30 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4). 2026-03-30 H Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1555-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. 2026-03-25 H The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem, Sayama, Cochran. 2026-03-23 H Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-25-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-12 H Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 17 2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 194) in amended form (SD 1). 2026-03-10 S Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) McKelvey . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-06 S 48 Hrs. Notice 3-10-26. 2026-03-06 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1). 2026-03-06 S Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2881) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-02-18 S The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 9:05AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. 2026-01-30 S Re-Referred to JDC. 2026-01-26 S Referred to GVO, JDC. 2026-01-21 S Introduced and passed First Reading. 2026-01-14 S Pending Introduction.
Votes
2026-02-18 Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 3 Nay: 1
Committee Referrals
2026-01-26 S Government Operations 2026-01-30 S Judiciary 2026-03-12 H Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs 2026-03-30 H Finance
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-15 Introduced 2026-03-05 Amended 2026-03-27 Amended
Subjects
Automatic Voter Registration Identification Card Driver's License Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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