The cost per vote
The cost per vote
I was surprised by the statistics reported on primary campaign spending for candidates for mayor of the Big Island: $474,302 spent for 18,390 votes equals $25.79 spent per vote by Billy Kenoi; $3,563 spent for 14,801 votes equals 24 cents spent per vote by Harry Kim.
That means that Mr. Kim got a vote for about 99 percent less than what it cost Mr. Kenoi.
For those undecided in the mayor’s runoff election race: Based on these statistics, which candidate manages budgets more effectively?
A. Wall
Hilo
Why I voted early
I enjoyed reading the Tribune-Herald’s Aug. 16 article, titled “Early voting surges of isle,” by Colin Stewart.
I cast an absentee ballot for the first time on Aug. 11; however, for me it wasn’t because I was too busy or because it was too inconvenient to go to the polling place. My reason was to be better able to make informed voting decisions.
In the past, I have gone to the polling booth still somewhat confused as to who was running for what, or against whom, much less the candidates’ positions on issues. I’m ashamed to say that after 14 years of living in the same neighborhood, I am still reminded of what district I live in at the time I look at the ballot.
This year, it was so nice to look at the ballot in the comfort of my home and have the time to research each of the candidates. I must admit that my “research” did not extend past one hour, but that is an improvement over no research at all.
Even though I have a master’s degree and should be “educated enough” to have made informed decisions, my past voting decisions have remained “elementary” over the years, with making decisions on “name recognition” or the enthusiasm of the sign wavers, or the creativity of the banners, or the lack of negative ads on the part of the candidate.
As an absentee voter, I look forward to making more solid decisions in the future!
Cami Weber
Hilo
Safety first?
In your Aug. 12 edition, a reader scolded politicians for jeopardizing her traffic safety with sign-waving. In today’s edition (Aug. 16), you feature the Police Department’s traffic services conducting sign-waving to promote its drunken driver enforcement campaign.
For politicians, it is political expediency. However, I would expect the Police Department’s traffic services to be promoting traffic safety instead of distracting motorists while driving.
David Heaukulani
Former traffic officer,
Honolulu Police
Department