SB 2480 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Summary

Allows voters in a primary or special primary election to vote for any candidate for any office without regard to the voter or candidate's political party preference. Advances the top two candidates in a primary or special primary election, regardless of political party, to the general election. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2480 → SB2480_SD1 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from a Senate version to a State Department version, changing the author and effective date. The core policy remains the same: it repeals the top-two primary system in Hawaii and restores the requirement that voters must declare a party preference to vote in primaries. The new effective date is set to March 22, 2075.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding election mechanics remains unchanged; it continues to apply to all primary and special primary elections in Hawaii.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from 'upon approval' to a specific future date of March 22, 2075.

TECHNICAL

The bill author was updated from Blake Anderson (Senate) to Noah Holck (State Department), and the document template was updated from the Senate template to the State Department template.

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

Mar 10, 2026

Committee

Recommitted to JDC.

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 13, 2026

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, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 1 co-sponsor