Extend the deadline
The state of Hawaii faces a potentially serious disenfranchisement of voters.
Having set Monday, Oct. 10, as the deadline to receive voter registrations, the state now is in danger of disenfranchising numerous voters.
Because Oct. 9 is a Sunday and Oct. 10 a national holiday, people who think they are beating the deadline might find that their registration forms are not accepted. The mail-in forms must be postmarked by the 10th, but the U.S. Postal Service is not open to stamp the mail. Any mailed application postmarked by Saturday, Oct. 8, will be accepted no matter when it is received by the Office of Elections.
Eight other states were, like Hawaii, in violation of federal law on this point. Since national media highlighted the problem, Arkansas and Washington extended their deadline to Oct. 11. Hawaii could do the same, but at this time has shown no inclination to do so.
The League of Voters of Hawaii County offers several recommendations.
First, register online or in person. The Office of Elections locations in Hilo and in Kona will be open Monday, Oct. 10.
The County of Hawaii sponsors WikiWiki Voter Registration in three locations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and Monday, Oct. 10.
Those locations are: Kmart in Kona, Bayfront in Hilo and Malama Market in Pahoa. Forms filled out at those spots are deposited in a locked box and transported to the Elections Office in Hilo at the end of the day.
Another option, which has not been publicized, is late registration and voting at early walk-in voting sites. This is the first election in which people can present necessary documentation at those sites and vote.
Early walk-in voting begins Oct. 25 and extends through Nov. 5. The sites are Kona Civic Center, Hilo Aupuni Center, Pahoa Community Center and Waimea Community Center.
For further information, visit the state’s election website or call the county elections office at 961-8277.
Erica Johnson
Vice president, League of Women Voters of Hawaii County
