Interim Chief Election Officer Succession
Summary
The Hawaii State Legislature passed SB2143, establishing a formal order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the Chief Election Officer position. The bill designates that the Elections Commission will subsequently appoint a permanent successor. The legislation passed the Senate 24-1 and the House with amendments in HD1.
What changed
Hawaii SB2143 establishes a statutory order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer to serve when the position becomes vacant, until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 3-1 on February 18, 2026, and cleared the full Senate 24-1 before passing the House with amendments (HD1) on April 1, 2026.
This is a procedural government administration measure that does not create new regulatory obligations for private parties or impose penalties. The succession framework applies solely to the Hawaii Office of Elections and the Elections Commission. Affected government entities should update internal procedures to reflect the new statutory succession order once the measure takes effect.
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2143 Passed SB2143 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To The Chief Election Officer.
Establishes an order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer. 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
Karl Rhoads (Sen - D) Stanley Chang (Sen - D) Kurt Fevella (Sen - R) Troy Hashimoto (Sen - D) Tim Richards (Sen - D) Joy San Buenaventura (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-01 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with Representative(s) Matsumoto, Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Muraoka, Shimizu voting no (6) and none excused (0). 2026-04-01 H Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1590-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-03-17 H The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: none; 3 Noes: Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; and Excused: none. 2026-03-12 H Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-17-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-12 H Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17 2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 178) in amended form (SD 1). 2026-03-10 S Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-05 S 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. 2026-03-05 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1). 2026-03-05 S Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2806) 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. 2026-02-04 S Re-Referred to JDC. 2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 S Government Operations 2026-02-04 S Judiciary 2026-03-12 H Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-15 Introduced 2026-03-04 Amended 2026-03-31 Amended
Subjects
Elections Commission Chief Election Officer Vacancy Order of Succession Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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