HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 311 Draft 01 2010-2012 COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 311 12
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE STATE OF
HAWAII LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL GENERAL
ELECTION IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII.
WHEREAS,the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization, that
encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of
major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS,the State of Hawai`i League of Women Voters is the statewide organization
made up of the local leagues of Hawai`i County and Honolulu; and
WHEREAS,the County of Hawai`i Island League of Women Voters has been a part of the
community since the 1960's and members work on local, state and national issues, registering and
educating voters, volunteering in polling places, control and counting centers, and improving
elections and government; and
WHEREAS, in a democracy, every vote matters: each vote is the choice of a unique
individual about what kind of government he or she wants, and collecting and recording those
votes gives meaning to democracy; and
WHEREAS, on September 17, 2012, the State of Hawai`i League of Women Voters
issued a press release expressing concerns relating to the Hawai`i County Elections, including
being troubled by a number of serious issues on the island of Hawai`i which cumulatively may
have diminished voters' confidence in the County Elections Office; and
WHEREAS, difficulties in the general election will affect the entire state, not just the
island, because the general election includes State and Federal candidates; and
WHEREAS,the State of Hawai`i League of Women Voters has issued the following
recommendations:
1) Urging all relevant Elections Office staff to participate in workshops conducted by the
State Office of Elections;
2) That the Elections Division be fully staffed and to assign undivided responsibility for
County preparations for the General Election to someone with experience in successfully
managing elections;
3) That the County Clerk will comply with relevant legislation, including designating
official political and press observers for the Big Island Counting Center, as required under
Section 16-45 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes, including the public release of identities of
observers to reassure the public and media that the law is being implemented; and
4) That the State Elections Commission, as required under Section 11-8.5 of the Hawai`i
Revised Statutes, conduct an investigation of the processes and actions that led up to the
August 11, 2012, mishaps in Hawai`i County, to be applied to the November general
election in order to prevent similar problems in future elections and to clarify
responsibilities among State and County Elections staff; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
supports the recommendations made by the League of Women Voters to ensure a successful
General Election in Hawai`i County.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the
Honorable Governor Neil Abercrombie, the Honorable Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, the Honorable
Mayor William P. Kenoi, the County Clerk of the County of Hawai`i, the Chief Election Officer of
the State of Hawai`i, the Chair of the Hawai`i State Election Commission, and the State of Hawai`i
League of Women Voters.
Dated at Hilo , Hawai`i, this 3rd day of October , 2012.
INTRODUCED BY:
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C• CI ,.1 EMBER, COUNT •F HAWAI I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i BLAS X
FORD X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the IKEDA
County of Hawaii on October 3, 22012 X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
ATTEST: SMART X
YAGONG X
YOSHIMOTO X
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Reference: C-859/Waived GRC
CO TY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING O FIC R RESOLUTION NO. 311 12
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