Article IV — Reapportionment
Reapportionment Years
The year 1973, the year 1981, and every tenth year thereafter shall be reapportionment years.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]
Reapportionment Commission
A reapportionment commission shall be constituted on or before May 1 of each reapportionment year and whenever reapportionment is required by court order. The commission shall consist of nine members.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978; am HB 2322 (1992) and election Nov 3, 1992]
Chief Election Officer
The legislature shall provide for a chief election officer of the State, whose responsibilities shall include the supervision of state elections, the maximization of registration of eligible voters throughout the State and the maintenance of data concerning registered voters, elections, apportionment and districting.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]
Apportionment Among Basic Island Units
The commission shall allocate the total number of members of each house of the state legislature among the four basic island units: (1) the island of Hawaii, (2) the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, (3) the island of Oahu and all other islands not specifically enumerated, and (4) the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978; am HB 2327 (1992) and election Nov 3, 1992]
Minimum Representation for Basic Island Units
The representation of any basic island unit initially allocated less than a minimum of two senators and three representatives shall be augmented by allocating thereto the number of senators or representatives necessary to attain such minimums.
[Am Const Con 1968 and election Nov 5, 1968; ren Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]
Apportionment Within Basic Island Units
The commission shall apportion the members among the districts and shall redraw district lines where necessary so that the average number of permanent residents per member is as nearly equal as practicable.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978; am HB 2327 (1992) and election Nov 3, 1992]
Election of Senators After Reapportionment
Regardless of whether or not a senator is serving a term that would have extended past the general election at which an apportionment plan becomes effective, the term of office of all senators shall end at that general election.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978; am SB 2234 (1992) and election Nov 3, 1992; am HB 1 (2000 2d) and election Nov 7, 2000]
Staggered Terms for the Senate
The reapportionment commission shall, as part of the reapportionment plan, assign two-year terms for twelve senate seats for the election immediately following the adoption of the reapportionment plan.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978; am HB 572 (1987) and election Nov 8, 1988; am SB 2234 (1992) and election Nov 3, 1992; am HB 1 (2000 2d) and election Nov 7, 2000]
Congressional Redistricting
The commission shall, at such times as may be required, redraw congressional district lines for the districts from which the members of the United States House of Representatives allocated to this State are elected.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]
Mandamus and Judicial Review
Original jurisdiction is vested in the supreme court of the State to be exercised on the petition of any registered voter whereby it may compel, by mandamus or otherwise, the appropriate person or persons to perform their duty or to correct any error made in a reapportionment plan.
[Add Const Con 1978 and election Nov 7, 1978]