SCR 105

THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
105
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE DEpartment of education TO Provide information
to students on how to preregister to vote before reaching voting age.
���� WHEREAS, civic
participation is fundamental to a healthy democracy and young adults aged
eighteen to twenty-four represent a growing portion of the State's electorate;
and
���� WHEREAS, according
to the United States Census Bureau, fewer than forty percent of young adults
participated in state elections from 2014 to 2024; and
���� WHEREAS, voting
at a young age creates and empowers lifelong voters, as data shows that after
an individual votes once, the individual often becomes a habitual voter; and
���� WHEREAS, this
lack of youth participation is primarily the result of informational and time
barriers, which have pronounced effects on youth from low-income backgrounds,
who are twice as likely to miss registration deadlines or run out of time; and
���� WHEREAS, by
making information on voter preregistration and registration more accessible
for people sixteen years of age and older, the State can empower a new
generation of lifelong voters; and
���� WHEREAS, public
schools, including charter schools, are excellent venues for preregistering and
registering students to vote, since schools already require participation in a
democracy and civics class for graduation, and therefore have the foundation to
help increase civic engagement; now, therefore,
���� BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the
Department of Education is urged to provide information to students on how to
preregister to vote before reaching voting age; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to provide specific
information regarding:
���� (1)� Voting eligibility information and guidance
published by the Office of Elections;
���� (2)� Procedures for properly completing and
submitting a voter registration application to the State's online voter
registration system, the appropriate County Clerk, or through other lawful
means;
���� (3)� Information on opportunities to register to
vote; and
���� (4)� Information on opportunities for students
sixteen years of age or older to volunteer at a voter service center, including
information on how to sign up through the Office of Elections website; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to make available paper
copies of voter registration and preregistration application forms; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to make available
resources describing accessible voting options and accommodations to students
who require assistance to vote due to a disability, visual or hearing
impairment, or inability to read or write; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to designate the last
two full weeks in September of each year as "high school voter
registration and preregistration weeks", and include activities to:
���� (1)� Raise civic awareness among high school
students;
���� (2)� Encourage eligible students ages sixteen or
seventeen to preregister or register to vote; and
���� (3)� Facilitate interactions with state or county
election employees or officials who can preregister and register students at
school campuses, to the extent available; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to
the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and
Chief Election Officer.
Report Title:�
DOE;
Voter Registration; Voter Preregistration; High Schoolers