Voting by mail is a smashing success in Hawaii, with a record high turnout in last summer’s primary election.

Were all voters able to participate?

To ensure equal access and accommodations for all voters here, the state this year founded the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee that operates within the Office of Elections.

The committee’s purpose is to ensure equal and independent voter access to voter registration, casting of ballots and other Office of Election services.

The committee was established during the 2021 Legislative Session when the Hawaii State Legislature approved Senate Bill 548. Gov. Ige signed the bill, which then became Act 213 on July 6, 2021.

The committee will consist of five members, all appointed by the governor based on recommendations from organizations in which persons with physical disabilities, including visual impairment, make up the majority of officers and members. Each member will also identify as a voter with special needs arising from physical impairment that requires an accommodation to vote.

Advisory committee members will serve for four years, meeting at least annually to review election procedures, services and technology access to information. Based on their findings, members will then make recommendations to the Office of Elections.

For more information about the committee, and to apply, go to https://forms.ehawaii.gov/pages/board-survey/. Once on the Boards and Commissions Application website, click on Department of Accounting and General Services.

Are alternate voting methods needed for people with disabilities? This important committee can help ensure that all citizens will be able to vote next year.