• Vote today Vote today While interest is high today in who will win the many well-fought election campaigns run on Kaua‘i, in Hawai‘i and across the country, it is hoped that the drama of the 2004 election season will
• Vote today
Vote today
While interest is high today in who will win the many well-fought election campaigns run on Kaua‘i, in Hawai‘i and across the country, it is hoped that the drama of the 2004 election season will convert into high voter turnout.
Kaua‘i’s primary election turnout was dismal at best, with the statewide turnout one of the lowest in the United States.
While those with a stake in the election, and party members, are sure to have voted by the time the polls close today, the final results are likely to be decided by the undecided registered voters. The undecided may or may not turnout today in great numbers. When you factor in the percentage of registered voters as a percentage of the overall population, it is apparent that elections are often decided by a minority of our adult population.
With undecided voters turning out the final decision at the polls will be more likely to have been decided by the will of the people, most of the people. That in theory is what democracy is all about.
Those who didn’t cast an absentee ballot, or voted in October at the County Building as a walk-in, might find they will have to wait in line this morning or this afternoon. Voters having second thoughts about waiting in line should remember that state law allows for time off from work to vote today.
Voters should also carefully consider how they will vote before entering the polling place. Many voters go on the media image presented in newspapers, on TV and on radio. While this information is valuable, a careful look at voting records and candidate backgrounds will give a fuller picture of who, or who not, to vote for.
The state and county amendment issues should also be carefully read today before ballots are cast. While the descriptions of the amendments are relatively lengthy, please don’t make a knee jerk decision on these issues. Voters need to decide if the changes are needed by our island society, or if we should discard these proposed amendments.
Watch for Kaua‘i county, statewide Hawai‘i and national results in the Wednesday issue of The Garden Island, along with comments from election winners and losers on the will of the people.
In the Thursday edition, or as soon as possible, watch for our popular precinct vote breakdown.
