HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 256.008 Goodenow, K - August 12 10 Comments on CA-7 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
August 12, 2010
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 Regarding Proposed Ballot Language Summary for CA-7
Thank you for this opportunity to comment. The August 10, 2010 Memorandum
from Education Ad Hoc Committee Chair Jarman proposes the following summary for
CA-7:
The public can vote to remove an elected official from office (“recall”). To
put a recall to a vote, a recall petition must have a minimum number of
valid signatures. This proposal would lower the number of signatures
required on a recall petition.
Presently, the requirement is 25% of all registered voters in the county or
district, depending on office. This proposal changes the requirement to 25%
of valid votes cast for the office in the last general election.
This proposal would also require petition signers to give the last four digits
of their social security number and the day and month of their birth in
addition to their residence address and their signature. Furthermore, the
county will have more time -- 30 days instead of 20 days -- to verify
signatures.
After reviewing transcripts of the June 25, 2010 meeting, it is my understanding
that CA-7 Draft 2 was amended with the proposal contained in Communication 257 from
Charter Attorney Levi Hookano as follows:
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
August 12, 2010
Page 2
Section 12-1.1. Recall Procedure.
(a) A petition demanding recall of an official elected at-large, or by
voters of the entire county, as the case may be, shall be signed by qualified
voters equal to or greater than twenty-five percent of the total valid votes
cast for the office subject to the recall petition in the last [general] election.
(b) A petition demanding recall of a district council member shall
be signed by qualified voters equal to or greater than twenty-five percent of
the total valid votes cast for the district office subject to the recall petition
[in the district] in the last [general] election.
I therefore recommend that the word “general” be deleted in the second paragraph of the
proposed summary. Also, I believe the first sentence of the second paragraph is not entirely
correct, as the current signature requirement is 25% of the total number of persons who
registered in the last general election, not those currently registered to vote.
If I can provide further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me at 961-8271.
Yours, very truly,
KENNETH G. GOODENOW
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer