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HRS §11-434

Post-election audit and return of public funds

After each general election, the elections commission checks how candidates spent public campaign money. If a candidate got too much, they must pay it back. If public money was used improperly, the candidate must pay a penalty. The commission also makes rules about what spending qualifies.

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The statute, as written — Post-election examination and audit; return of funds

(a) The commission shall examine and audit the public funds received by all candidates, qualifying contributions, and the expenditures made by all candidates within sixty days after each general election. (b) The commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, prior to the payment of public money, regarding expenditures which qualify under section 11-432. (c) If the commission determines that any payment of public funds to a candidate exceeded the aggregate amount to which the candidate was entitled, the commission shall notify the candidate within two years of the payment of the public funds and the candidate shall repay the excess amount to the Hawaii election campaign fund. (d) If the commission determines that any public funds were used for any improper purpose, the commission shall notify the candidate, and the candidate shall pay to the Hawaii election campaign fund an amount equal to three hundred per cent of such amount in addition to any fines under section 11-410 and section 11-412.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§11-410 Fines for breaking campaign rules and how they are enforced

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.