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SB780Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Elections.

EngrossedHouse Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Introduced by Karl Rhoads, District 13

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Specifies that election ballots issued by the Chief Election Officer or county clerk shall exclude any candidate who is disqualified by a constitutional or statutory provision. Provides for a process for challenging an inclusion or exclusion of a candidate from a ballot. Includes a candidate's disqualification as grounds for an election contest complaint. Specifies that electors of presidential and vice presidential candidates shall not be individuals who are disqualified by a constitutional or statutory provision.

Where it stands

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

December 8, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · January 31, 2025

4

Yes

0

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Absent

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to JDC, WAM.

  4. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  5. Re-Referred to JDC.

  6. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

  7. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 696) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.

  9. One Day Notice 02-19-25.

  10. Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 19; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 3 (Senator(s) Gabbard, Kouchi, Richards). Transmitted to House.

  11. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 8).

  12. Pass First Reading

  13. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17

  14. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-12-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  15. The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

  16. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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