(a) In general, special general, special, or runoff elections, the complaint shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the supreme court not later than 4:30 p.m. on the twentieth day following the general, special general, special, or runoff election and shall be accompanied by a deposit for costs of court as established by rules of the supreme court. The clerk shall issue to the defendants named in the complaint a summons to appear before the supreme court not later than 4:30 p.m. on the tenth day after service thereof.

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Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 11-174.5

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • county: includes the city and county of Honolulu. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 1-22
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Runoff election: means any single election required by county charters preceded by an election that failed to elect a candidate. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 11-1
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Voter service center: means a location within the county of the voter's registration address established pursuant to section 11-109 to serve all of the following purposes:

    (1) Receive return envelopes for absentee ballots pursuant to chapter 15;

    (2) Receive return identification envelopes in an election by mail conducted pursuant to part VIIA;

    (3) Provide voting machine services for persons with disabilities pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, P. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 11-1

(b) In cases involving general, special general, special, or runoff elections the complaint shall be heard by the supreme court in which the complaint was filed as soon as it reasonably may be heard. On the return day, the court, upon its motion or otherwise, may direct summons to be issued to any person who may be interested in the result of the proceedings.

At the hearing, the court shall cause the evidence to be reduced to writing and shall give judgment, stating all findings of fact and of law. The judgment may invalidate the general, special general, special, or runoff election on the grounds that a correct result cannot be ascertained because of a mistake or fraud on the part of the voter service center officials; or decide that a certain candidate, or certain candidates, received a majority or plurality of votes cast and were elected. If the judgment should be that the general, special general, special, or runoff election was invalid, a certified copy thereof shall be filed with the governor, and the governor shall duly call a new election to be held not later than one hundred twenty days after the judgment is filed. If the court shall decide which candidate or candidates have been elected, a copy of that judgment shall be served on the chief election officer or county clerk, who shall sign and deliver to the candidate or candidates certificates of election, and the same shall be conclusive of the right of the candidate or candidates to the offices.