HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 113 Goodenow, K - CA-27 KENNETH G. GOODENOW
County Clerk
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the County Clerk
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Telephone: (808) 961-8255
Facsimile: (808) 961-8912
RODNEY OSHIRO
Deputy County Clerk
December 17, 2009
Sent via e-mail to keoff@co.hawaii.hi.us; no hard copy will follow
Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai‘i Charter Commission
c/o Hawai‘i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Dear Chairman Haitsuka and Commission Members:
RE: Comments about Charter Amendment Proposal CA-27
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on proposed Charter amendment CA-
27 that replaces section 3-4 of the current Charter regarding vacancies on the County
Council.
Pat Nakamoto, our Elections Division head, and I provide the following
comments:
1) Under proposed section 3.4(a), “[i]f the term is less than 6 months, the county
council shall appoint a successor by majority vote,” however, under subsection
(a)(1), applicants for the vacant position “shall file nomination papers (following
standard election practices)”. Currently nomination papers are issued and filed
for individuals running for elected office. Nomination papers as defined in
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 12 do not exist for an appointed office.
Furthermore, nomination papers are under the purview of the state chief election
officer.
2) Subsection (a)(3) provides that the county clerk shall provide copies of “the
applications” to the county council. This is the only reference to an “application”
in this section and it is unclear what is sufficient or required.
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Honorable Edmund Haitsuka and Members of the
County of Hawai‘i Charter Commission
Re: CA-27
December 17, 2009
Page 2
3) CA-27 provides that a special election be called if there is more than six months
left in the remainder of a council term. Depending on the number of candidates
who might run for a vacant council seat, it is possible that a special election would
cost County taxpayers between $150,000 and $200,000.
If I can provide further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me at 961-8271.
Yours, very truly,
KENNETH G. GOODENOW
County Clerk
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer