Today and every day (except Sunday) between now and Nov. 3, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Kauai residents can walk in and vote in Lihue at the Historic County Annex Building, 4386 Rice Street, directly next to where the County Council meets weekly.
All you need is a Hawaii driver’s license or other suitable ID showing you are a Kauai resident.
You don’t need to worry about whether or not your are registered to vote, nor what district you are supposed to vote in. Every resident of Kauai, age 18 years and older can vote in Lihue at these times, regardless of where you live and regardless of whether you are now registered to vote or not.
For example if you live on the North Shore of Kauai (which happens to have one of the worst voting records in the state), you can vote in Lihue now (Monday through Saturday) rather than wait until Nov. 6 and risk bad weather or good waves distracting you and getting in the way of your civic duty.
Remember, whether or not you vote is a public record. Who you vote for is not public, but the fact that you vote or not is.
Not sure who to vote for? Not to worry as many of us fall into that same category and the answer is to ask those people and organizations whom you trust for their suggestions.
Remember, Google is your friend (not really but it’s a catchy phrase). You can search various organizations that you might support and trust, and who endorse candidates. For me, environmental protection and land use issues are my priority so the Sierra Club of Hawaii is my “go to” organization for endorsement advice.
My primary advice is to leave a choice blank unless you are clear about supporting a specific candidate or candidates. This is especially true when voting for the Kauai County Council. The ballot will say “Vote For Not More Than Seven (7), but my preference is to limit my choices to 4, or perhaps 5 at the most. The critical point is – DO NOT JUST VOTE ON NAME RECOGNITION AND DO NOT GO EENY, MEENY, MINY, MOE.
Seriously, there are far too many people who just vote because they recognize the name or they feel compelled to use all seven of their votes. Please cast your votes for the council wisely, and sparingly.
Because of my experience and involvement in policy and politics over the years, I get asked frequently about my personal voting choices. So, to make it easy I have included that information on my Hooser Blog you can read if you like here: bit.ly/2Cy9dKK.
Three Charter Amendments that are on the ballot that I am particularly concerned about are:
Relating to the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund
Shall Article XIX, Financial Procedures, Section 19.15 (C) be amended to permit the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund to include improvements?
NOTE: I prefer these funds be used primarily to acquire new properties and am concerned that they will be used up by “improvements” which could drift into the realm of regular maintenance. These funds should be used to purchase long term assets (property) and not as operational funds. Thus my vote will be a NO.
Relating to the Salary Commission
Shall Article XXIX, Salary Commission, Sections 29.01 and 29.03 be amended to give the salary commission authority to establish the maximum salaries of all elected and appointed officials, and to add the director of human resources and the director of finance as ex-officio members of the commission?
NOTE: In my opinion, if passed this will result in higher salaries for councilmembers, the mayor and top administrative heads – without the Council being involved which means they escape political consequences. Thus my vote will be a NO.
Relating to term limits for the office of Councilmember
Shall the term limit of office for Councilmember’s be removed?
NOTE: The people voted overwhelming in 2006 in support of limiting the terms of councilmembers. A yes vote removes term limits and allows councilmembers to serve an unlimited number of terms. A no vote retains the current provision that limits councilmembers to four consecutive two-year terms. Thus my vote will be a NO.
Now please, do your research, ask your friends and neighbors their opinions, and then go vote. Vote in Lihue today. Get it over with. Then remind your co-workers and family members to go vote as well.
It’s important. Take ownership of your government.
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Gary Hooser formerly served in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kauai County Council and was former director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. He serves presently in a volunteer capacity as board president of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) and is executive director of the Pono Hawaii Initiative.
