Bill mandates evaluation for election chief

The state’s chief election officer would have to undergo a performance evaluation after each general election under a plan approved by the state Senate.

The Senate approved the bill Thursday. It now goes to the House. The bill requires the Elections Commission to provide the written performance evaluation to the Legislature. It was introduced after problems during the 2014 elections that included voters in storm-damaged areas who couldn’t get to the polls.

State Sen. Sam Slom (R, Diamond Head-Kahala-Hawaii Kai) cast the lone vote against the bill. He says evaluations should be done by an outside panel.

Senators also approved a plan to require candidates to file additional campaign spending reports.