HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 256.010 Goodenow, K - August 12 10 Comments on CA-17 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-17
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-17:
This proposal would change the name from “reapportionment commission”
to “redistricting commission.” “Reapportionment” more generally refers to
determining how many seats in Congress will be granted to a state. The new
name would more accurately reflect the commission’s responsibility, which
is to redraw political district lines based on population changes.
Commission members would be appointed by July of the year before the
redistricting year instead of in January of the redistricting year
This proposal requires public hearings both before and after finishing the
draft plan.
The present charter presents criteria for drawing district lines as guidelines.
This proposal makes those criteria mandatory. They are: (1) No district
shall be drawn to unduly favor or penalize a person or political faction; (2)
Insofar as possible, districts should be contiguous and compact; (3) District
lines shall, where possible, follow permanent and easily recognizable
features; (4) Districts shall have approximately equal resident populations
as required by applicable constitutional provisions.
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
In my opinion, the summary should include the provision that if adopted, the 2011
redistricting commission will still be appointed in the manner of Sections 3-17(d) of the
2008 edition of the charter. As an example the second paragraph could be changed to read:
“Following the 2011 Redistricting Commission, Redistricting Commission members would
be appointed by July of the year before the redistricting year instead of in January of the
redistricting year.”
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