SB 176 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO RECOUNTS.

Summary

Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (CD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Signed Jun 25, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB176_HD1 → SB176_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Hawaii's election recount rules by raising the threshold for automatic recounts and clarifying which ballots are included in initial tabulations. The automatic recount threshold changes from 'less than one-quarter of one percent' to 'less than one-half of one percent' of total votes cast, making it harder to trigger automatic recounts. The bill also clarifies that initial tabulations should only include ballots verified by 6:00 a.m. the day after the election, excluding deficient ballots that need correction or validation time.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of automatic recount eligibility criteria by raising the vote margin threshold, affecting which election races will trigger mandatory recounts.

REQUIREMENT

Automatic recount threshold increased from less than one-quarter of one percent to less than one-half of one percent of total votes cast

Initial tabulation now explicitly excludes ballots that cannot be verified by 6:00 a.m. the day following the election

TIMELINE

Effective date changed from July 1, 3000 to upon approval of the bill

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that ballots deficient under section 11-106 requiring voter correction or validation time are excluded from initial tabulation

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 11) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 11).

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-21-25 2:00PM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 431).

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and 4 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Garcia.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 105) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

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, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors