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Advisory committee says federal registration bills could narrow access to Hawaii’s vote‑by‑mail system
Summary
At a Feb. 18, 2026 meeting the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee heard testimony from disability advocates who warned that proposed federal bills focused on registration — including the Save America Voter Eligibility Act and related measures — could reduce access and disproportionately affect voters with disabilities in Hawaii, a fully vote‑by‑mail state.
HONOLULU — The Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee met Feb. 18 to examine how recent federal proposals and local requests to return to same‑day in‑person voting could affect Hawaii’s vote‑by‑mail system and voters with disabilities.
Vice Chair James Gashel opened the meeting noting Hawaii moved to a mail‑in voting system under a 2019 law and ran its first mail‑in election in 2020. Gashel said subsequent changes — including a 2021 law allowing electronic ballot return — improved accessibility for many voters but that proposed federal bills merit scrutiny for their potential effects on registration and assistance rules.
The committee heard from two national disability advocates. San Ho, legal program coordinator at the National Federation of the Blind, said the House‑passed Save America Voter Eligibility Act focuses on registration and would require photo identification such as a passport and current documentation to…
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