In 2022, 60 percent of primary voters or 513,715 Hawai‘i residents did not bother to vote. They chose to not even open an envelope, check off a few boxes, put it back in the return envelope and walk it out to the mail box.
As a result, with few exceptions across all the islands, the same ole same ole got reelected again.
Good people are running. Fresh ideas, new energy, and new leadership is knocking at our door asking for a chance to serve. Yet, 60 percent of the voters seemingly couldn’t be bothered to do a little bit of homework and check a box or two.
Please. Our democracy will only work when we get off the couch, turn off the TV, put our phone down, walk over to the kitchen table, find our primary election ballot and fill-in those little squares.
Leave some or even most blank if you like, but check the boxes next to the names of candidates you feel good about, and walk it out to the mailbox today, by the end of this week at the very latest.
If you’ve not yet received a ballot in the mail, it means you’re not a registered voter, and you must visit a Voter Service Center to register, and then vote in person. Individuals must be a U.S. citizen, Hawai‘i resident, and at least 18 years of age to register and vote.
Voter Service Center locations and hours of operations can be found at: https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/.
No vote. No grumble.
There are important races happening now, through-out the islands.
How do you make a smart decision on who to vote for?
Read candidate Q&A in Civil Beat – https://www.civilbeat.org/election-ballot-2024/.
Read candidate statements in the official Office of Elections Voter Guide at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/altballotsearch3.aspx.
And yes, you can read my thoughts and recommendations at https://garyhooser.blog.
The best way to make a voting decision of course is to speak to the candidate directly. At the council and state Legislature level this is normally possible, but at this late date connecting directly with candidate’s may be a challenge.
I’ve found Google and Facebook to be very helpful in evaluating a candidates values, thoughts, and priorities. Scroll through a candidates social media postings (especially older postings) and you’ll often get a good feel for who they are, what they believe in, and what their future plans are.
It’s best if mail-in ballots are put in the mail prior to Aug. 3, otherwise voters are encouraged to deposit ballots directly and/or vote in person at a Voter Service Center as soon as possible and prior to Aug. 10.
Aug. 10 is the final day for in-person voting, and all ballots must be received at a Voter Service Center by 7 p.m. on that day.
Please vote. Be part of the solution. Take ownership of your democracy.
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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council. He presently writes on Hawai‘i Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
