Chair Nohelani U’u-Hodgins
Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee
Maui County Council
200 S. High Street, 9th Floor
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
RE: Testimony in Support of Bill 3 (2024), Relating to Financial Disclosure Statements
Dear Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide information relevant to the Committee’s consideration of Bill 3 (2024), specifically regarding the proposed amendment to Section 2.56.060.A.3, Maui County Code, which would make the Clerk’s and Deputy Clerk’s financial disclosure statements confidential.
As you are aware, election officials are being subjected to threats, harassment, and leaked private information (“doxing”) at increasing rates. While election officials are covered under general statutes protecting public officials, many states have enacted separate laws relating to election officials. As of January 2025, thirty-five states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws specifically related to increased protections for election officials.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports:
• Thirty-four states have criminalized intimidation and/or interference with election workers by establishing incarceration and fines for offenders.
• Seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Washington—allow election workers to keep their addresses and other personally identifiable information confidential.
• Six states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada and Oklahoma—criminalize publicizing election officials’ personal information on the internet. Washington also specifically addresses cyber harassment of election officials. See: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/state-laws-providing-protection-for-election-officials-and-staff.
The Hawaii Legislature currently is considering SB1030 , which would amend Section 19-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, “Election Frauds,” targeting behaviors that intimidate voters. The bill specifies that “intimidation” includes carrying any unconcealed firearm or dangerous instrument at or within two hundred feet of a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. While we support this important legislation, we believe legislation specifically addressing the safety of election officials and workers warrants further consideration.
We appreciate the Committee’s consideration of limiting access to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk’s financial disclosure statements, which contain information that could be used to infringe upon personal safety.
Chair Nohelani U’u-Hodgins
Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee
Maui County Council
200 S. High Street, 9th Floor
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
RE: Testimony in Support of Bill 3 (2024), Relating to Financial Disclosure Statements
Dear Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide information relevant to the Committee’s consideration of Bill 3 (2024), specifically regarding the proposed amendment to Section 2.56.060.A.3, Maui County Code, which would make the Clerk’s and Deputy Clerk’s financial disclosure statements confidential.
As you are aware, election officials are being subjected to threats, harassment, and leaked private information (“doxing”) at increasing rates. While election officials are covered under general statutes protecting public officials, many states have enacted separate laws relating to election officials. As of January 2025, thirty-five states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws specifically related to increased protections for election officials.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports:
• Thirty-four states have criminalized intimidation and/or interference with election workers by establishing incarceration and fines for offenders.
• Seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Washington—allow election workers to keep their addresses and other personally identifiable information confidential.
• Six states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada and Oklahoma—criminalize publicizing election officials’ personal information on the internet. Washington also specifically addresses cyber harassment of election officials. See: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/state-laws-providing-protection-for-election-officials-and-staff.
The Hawaii Legislature currently is considering SB1030 , which would amend Section 19-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, “Election Frauds,” targeting behaviors that intimidate voters. The bill specifies that “intimidation” includes carrying any unconcealed firearm or dangerous instrument at or within two hundred feet of a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. While we support this important legislation, we believe legislation specifically addressing the safety of election officials and workers warrants further consideration.
We appreciate the Committee’s consideration of limiting access to the Clerk and Deputy Clerk’s financial disclosure statements, which contain information that could be used to infringe upon personal safety.
With best regards,
RICHELLE M. THOMSON
Deputy County Clerk