Hawaii's governor signed off on a new rule for breaking tied election races, a change that is neutral for voters but controversial among critics who say it was rushed through.

• The rule formalizes drawing names from a shaken or rotated container, with the person doing the draw looking away so they can't see which name they're pulling.
• It replaces an older, informal version of the same process that Hawaii's top court had already thrown out for lacking clear, formal steps.
• Election watchdogs and the Hawaii Elections Commission pushed back, wanting more safeguards like independent witnesses and required documentation of the drawing.
• Critics argue tiebreaker rules matter beyond just one race, and want certainty that a "tie" is real only after recounts and any ballot problems are fully resolved.

Outlook: The rule takes effect in about ten days, well ahead of the upcoming election, giving officials a formal process in place if any race ends in a tie.