Bill to rein in
poll watchers moves

House Democrats OK
ban on poll watchers calling
people who have not yet voted

By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com

The state House has sent the Senate a controversial campaign spending bill that would make it a crime for poll watchers to call people if they have not yet voted and that allows a 100 percent increase in contributions to noncandidate committees.

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The 36-member Democratic majority claimed these and other changes to the state election laws would level the playing field for candidates. But the 15-member Republican minority argued its party was being targeted for running an effective gubernatorial campaign that included poll watchers using cellular phones to get out the vote in last November's general election.

"If the opponent out-hustles you, just change the rules of the game," said state Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kapolei) on the House floor yesterday about House Bill 284, HD1.

House Judiciary Chairman Eric Hamakawa (D, South Hilo-Kurtistown) countered, "All we're doing with this is clarifying that partisan activity should be kept out of the polls."

The measure, approved after Republicans failed to amend it on the floor during a lively two-hour debate yesterday, would ban election officials, who include poll watchers, from transmitting information for partisan purposes while performing their duties.

The bill also would raise individual donations to noncandidate committees or political action committees to $2,000 from $1,000 per election period, and bans political fund raising in government offices.

Also, it would ban government contractors from giving campaign contributions during and up to two years after receiving a government contract of more than $25,000.

The bill also would exclude the required reporting of in-kind contributions under $1,000 for a candidate or $2,000 for a noncandidate committee.

"It is perfectly reasonable to level the election playing field in this way," said state Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Makiki).

Brennon Morioka, chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, in a statement yesterday, questioned why Democrats would want to make it illegal to remind someone on election day to go out and vote. Republicans nationwide have developed a successful program to encourage voting to improve low voter turnout, and Hawaii Democrats should join in that effort, he said.

Hawaii's voter turnout in the 2002 election was 57 percent, down from 58 percent in 2000 and 69 percent in 1998.

But state Rep. Kirk Caldwell (D, Manoa) argued it is unacceptable that poll workers are allowed to watch who votes and then contact people on the voter list who have not, no matter if they are Democratic, Republican or nonpartisan. Caldwell added every American has a right to privacy and a right to choose not to vote.

On the provision that increases allowable donations to noncandidate committees, state Rep. David Pendleton (R, Maunawili-Kaneohe) said he worried it will provide twice as much money to political action groups for "hit pieces" mailers like the one he received last election that incorrectly stated his positions on issues.

That is not campaign finance reform, he said.