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<br /> <br /> <br /> even more uneven, <br /> possibly subjecting the county government to complaints to the US Dept. <br /> Justice under the <br /> 2002 Help America Vote Act, and or the state Ethics Commission. <br /> I therefore request that the Council consider one of two options. The <br /> Kuhio Mall space <br /> has 12 full time employees, occupies 5,000 sq. ft., and is open 40 hours <br /> /week, except <br /> during absentee voting when it opens 48 hours (equalled nowhere else in <br /> the county). <br /> I propose amending the Resolution to include 100 sq. ft. kiosks (10 foot <br /> square) in Kona <br /> at Costco,Walmart, Lanihou center, and Keauhou Plaza, to be staffed by <br /> temporary <br /> employees or volunteers provided by the County, 40 hours / week, 48 <br /> hours/ week <br /> during walk-in voting. Other districts should be consulted as to what <br /> they feel would <br /> help level the playing field to give a more nearly fair election, and <br /> these requests should be <br /> included in the amended resolution. It is not clear to me why Council is <br /> in such a rush to <br /> pass this resolution, which could lead to serious embarassment to the <br /> County. It will, in <br /> present form, surely increase the deep cynicism with which many of our <br /> citizens view <br /> the electoral process in our county- perhaps one reason for record low <br /> voter turnouts. <br /> Should the argument be made that the amendments I suggest would be too <br /> costly, even <br /> though the cost would be but a fraction of the Kuhio Mall Project <br /> expenses, I would <br /> offer a second option which would save the county money. Move the <br /> Elections Office <br /> to lower cost office space not in a commercial retail center, and <br /> comparable to other <br /> absentee locations. During absentee voting, as on election day, let all <br /> polls be open the <br /> same hours. In this way, treat all citizens equally in access to voting- <br /> as is required <br /> under federal law. <br /> Thank you for your consideration. Please remember Confucius, who said," <br /> » I am never <br /> » in a hurry for the wrong answer". <br /> Respectfully, <br /> » Marshall Blann <br /> > No virus found in this incoming message. <br /> > Checked by AVG Free Edition. <br /> > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.2/472 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 <br /> > <br /> <br /> 2 <br />