Procedures for conducting elections by mail

(a) Ballot packages for elections by mail shall include: (1) An official ballot; (2) A return identification envelope with postage prepaid; (3) A secrecy envelope or secrecy sleeve; and (4) Instructions. (b) To the extent practicable, the clerk shall mail a ballot package by non-forwardable mail to each registered voter in the county so as to enable voters to receive the ballot package at least eighteen days before the election; provided that the State and counties shall not be liable if the ballot package is received fewer than eighteen days before the election. The clerk shall continue mailing ballot packages to voters who register to vote no later than ten days before the date of the election and to voters who update their voter registration address no later than seven days before the date of the election and who have not yet voted; provided that the clerk may continue mailing ballot packages beyond the deadlines established by this subsection if the clerk determines that there is reasonable time for a voter to receive and submit the ballot package before the election. In determining the initial mailing date of the ballot packages, the clerk shall consider the mailing place of origin and the most recent postal service delivery standards. The clerk shall not mail a ballot package to any voter in the county register who is identified as having an outdated or non-deliverable mailing address. Nothing in this part shall be construed to change the responsibilities of the clerk or chief election officer under chapter 15 with respect to voters requesting to vote by absentee ballot or chapter 15D with respect to uniform military and overseas voters. (c) The exterior of the envelope containing the ballot package shall include instructions on how to obtain language translation services in Hawaiian and, at a minimum, the five most utilized foreign languages by limited English proficient persons in the State. (d) The clerks shall determine and provide for voter service centers and places of deposit pursuant to this part and section 11-92.1.