HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 213 Hemmes, H - League of Women Voters - CA-16February 11, 2010
TO: Chairman Haitsuka and Members of the Charter Review Commission
FROM: Helen Hemmes, President,
League of Women Voters (LWV) of Hawaii County
Tel. 935-6214 hemmesh@hawaiiantel.net
RE: Support for CA-16
Dear Chairman Haitsuka and Commission Members:
The League of Women Voters of Hawaii County testified earlier in favor of CA-12,
including the use of the four-digit social security number and month and day of birth as
the only qualifiers besides the signature. We had always assumed that the county used
the signature as the first and most important item of verification. After meeting with Mr.
Goodenow and Ms. Nakamoto last week, we understand that their system does not
present the signature on screen: that to find the signature requires a microfiche search,
which is time-consuming.
Two fields help the County Clerk's office gain entry into data about registered voters for
purposes of verifying that persons are registered: 1) the name, and 2) the complete social
security number Petition gatherers cannot ask for the complete social security number
on a petition, hence the sole entry to detailed information is by a person's name. The
Clerk has said that his office must, according to state law, verify that a person is a
registered voter for Hawaii County -- registered and living at the address ON FILE.
For this reason, the League of Women Voters of Hawaii County supports the use of the
residence address on petitions, along with the printed name and signature. No other
information, including the date of signing, should be included.
We strongly support CA-16, which in respects other than the signature verification
requirements, would make the requirements for an elector initiated charter amendment
follow the same process and requirements as for initiative and referendum.
Thank you for all the work that you are doing.
Helen Hemmes, President, LWV of Hawaii County