HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 256.009 Goodenow, K - August 12 10 Comments on CA-12 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-12
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-12:
The public can request a change (amendment) to the county charter by
petition. If enough registered voters ask (petition) for the change, the
proposed amendment will be put to a vote in the next general election.
This proposal would lower the number of signatures required to put an
amendment to a vote. Presently, 20% of all registered voters in the county
must sign the petition. This proposal would change the number to 20% of
the total votes cast in the last general election.
This amendment would require petition signers to give the last four digits of
their social security number and the day and month of their birth, along
with residence address and signature. Furthermore, the county will have
more time – 30 days instead of 20 -- to verify signatures.
After reviewing transcripts of the June 25, 2010 meeting, it is my understanding
that CA-12 Draft 3 was amended by replacing “valid votes cast” with “total ballots cast”.
I therefore recommend that “total votes cast” be substituted with “total ballots cast” in the
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
third sentence of the second paragraph of the proposed summary. Also, I believe the
second sentence of the second paragraph is not entirely correct, as the current signature
requirement is 20% of the total number of persons who registered to vote 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