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House committee approves bill limiting termination of Chief Elections Officer to ‘for cause’; opponents warn undefined standard could impair accountability
Summary
The committee moved SB 2466 HD1, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause. Supporters say it protects nonpartisan officials; opponents testified the undefined 'cause' could shield underperforming officials and make accountability harder. The committee advanced the bill with recorded no votes and reservations.
The House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee considered SB 2466 HD1, which would amend law to make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only "for cause" and require the Elections Commission to provide written notice stating reasons for removal.
Supporters, including Amy Monk of the League of Women Voters and Marlene Tom of Indivisible Hawaii, argued the change is necessary to protect elections officials from politicized removals. Monk told the committee the bill would add stability and…
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