HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1104.004 2004-2006
Resolution 474-06, related to voter registration Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: Janice Palma-Glennie [palmtree7@hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 7:26 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: Pilago, K. Angel; Isbell, Virginia
Subject: Resolution 474-06, related to voter registration
Subject: Resolution 474-06, leased space in Kukio mall
Aloha, Council members:
It has come to my attention that substantial effort and monies are being allotted to voter
registration in Hilo, specifically at the Kukio mall.
Though a case may be made for increasing democracy through greater potential voter access in
our county, a stronger case can be made that far more emphasis is being put on registering
East Hawaii residents than West. Due to the fact that more and more West Hawaii residents
feel disenfranchised from the governmental process on the island, the obvious effort to
further increase voter input from the East side at the behest of the West seems untoward,
unfair, and skewed.
I agree with residents who claim that even this latest effort at registering East side voters
(with island-wide funds) has created more than just an appearance of less an increasingly
fair County election process. There is even a high chance that the case could be made that
this is illegal, creating a situation where the County (us) could be sued for such actions. I
also agree with suggestions that similar, equal efforts should be launched in Waimea, Kona
and Ka'u with the same hours of operation and similar size venue so that wabk.n voting can
be encouraged county-wide if this carry-on at Kukio mall is to be continued.
Either the Kukio operation must be eliminated or fair, island-wide locations for absentee voting added immediately (meanwhile moving
the Elections Office to a lower-cost venue comparable to other absentee voter locations). Suggestions put forth that it
would be too expensive to make this situation fair to all island residents are ludicrous and
even hostile when the costs of the Kukio operation are tallied.
Please do not support efforts to foil democratic process. No matter which side you are on
politically, you are in a position to serve democracy and the people of this island
community.
This is a bad resolution in need of considerable work to make it acceptable. I suggest that
it be tabled, that the Kukio location be shut down immediately and/or funding for similar
locations be allocated so that new locations in West Hawaii can opened around the island
TODAY.
Mahalo for your consideration of my views on this critical subject.
Sincerely,
Janice Palma-Glennie
Comm. No. 0q.
Ref. To: Fres;we
Ref. Dote _OCT 1 6 2006
10/16/2006