New year brings new IDs, voting by mail, pot carry act | News, Sports, Jobs

This sample Hawaii driver’s license has the star in the gold circle, meaning that it is REAL ID compliant and can be used for identification on flights. All residents must have a compliant ID by Oct. 1. Hawaii Department of Transportation photo

Hawaii residents not only ushered in a new year at the stroke of midnight Wednesday, but also a number of changes that come with updated laws, from new driver’s license requirements to the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

Here’s a look at some key changes in 2020:

Turning over a new leaf

Maui state Sen. J. Kalani English has been introducing bills to decriminalize marijuana for 15 or so years, and while a measure that he co-sponsored alongside several other lawmakers didn’t make it out of the Senate last year, one did come out of the House.

House Bill 1383, which became Act 273, decriminalized the possession of three grams or less of marijuana but does levy a $130 fine for that amount. If a person is convicted for possessing three grams or less of marijuana but garnered no other criminal charges in the case, the court shall grant an expungement order for the conviction, according to the act.

Residents cast their votes on the last day of early walk-in voting at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in August 2018. This year, Hawaii is transitioning to all mail-in voting. The Maui News / COLLEEN UECHI photo

The new law also establishes a marijuana evaluation task force to make recommendations on changing marijuana use penalties and outcomes in the state.

Gov. David Ige cited concerns about “the normalization of marijuana use, clear conflicts with federal law, the inability to refer violators to effective treatment programs and the ability for the courts to actually collect fines.” However, he favored the creation of the task force and let the bill become law without his signature.

While the Marijuana Policy Project called it “the smallest amount of any state that has decriminalized (or legalized) simple possession,” — English’s bill had proposed 0.5 ounces, or about 14 grams — the organization said that removing criminal penalties and possible jail time “is an improvement.”

It goes into effect Jan. 11.

Get a gold star

This year, all Hawaii IDs will need to have more than just a rainbow or scenic background — they’ll also require a “star in a gold circle” marking to show they are REAL ID compliant.

The new rules stem from a congressional act passed in 2005 in the wake of 9/11. Starting Oct. 1, all Hawaii driver’s licenses or state identification cards will need to have the “star in a gold circle” indicating they are compliant.

By Oct. 1, every person traveling within the U.S. on a commercial airline will need to present a REAL ID compliant credential or another acceptable form of identification. For a full list of TSA-acceptable identification, visit www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

Hawaii residents whose required personal information is already on file, including proof of legal presence, legal name, date of birth, social security number and current Hawaii principal residence, may be able to apply for a REAL ID compliant license online.

If this information is not on file, or if a resident’s legal name or address have changed, the request must be submitted in person.

Driver’s licenses and state IDs issued after Jan. 15, 2018, are REAL ID compliant, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Driver’s licenses generally may be renewed within six months prior to the expiration date. Licenses with an expiration of March 31, 2021 or later may be renewed before Sept. 30 to obtain the REAL ID star, according to the county. The cost to replace an active driver’s license is $12; renewals range from $10 to $80, depending on age and years of the license. A duplicate state ID costs $12, while a renewal is $80.

As of October, only about half of the driver’s licenses and a quarter of state identification cards in Maui County had the “star in the gold circle.”

To apply online, visit www.mauicounty.gov/1331/Drivers-License-Information.

For more information on REAL IDs, visit www.tsa.gov/real-id.

Voting by mail

While 2020 already promises a major presidential election, it also coincides with a big shift to mail-in voting across all counties in Hawaii.

Instead of heading to the polls on Election Day to cast their ballots, registered voters will now receive a ballot in the mail, following a bill passed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor last year. Supporters of the move said it would save the state thousands of dollars and possibly boost voter participation in a state with a history of low turnout.

In the new system, the Office of the County Clerk will prepare and mail a ballot packet about three weeks before the election, according to the state Office of Elections. Voters who do not receive a ballot, or who displace, damage or make a mistake on a ballot should contact the clerk’s office.

After voting, place the ballot in the secrecy envelope before placing it in the return envelope. The return envelope must be signed, or it will not be counted.

Ballots may be returned by mail or in person at a designated place of deposit. All ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

However, residents can still vote in person. The new law establishes a limited number of voter service centers that would remain open from the 10th business day before an election through Election Day to receive personal delivery of mail-in ballots, accommodate voters with special needs, offer same-day registration and voting and provide other election services.

For more information, visit elections.hawaii.gov/frequently-asked-questions/voting-by-mail/.

To contact the Maui County clerk’s office on election matters, call 270-7749.

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.

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