Local Leaders Voting equals power A colleague of mine was puzzled recently why only 30 percent of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s members voted in the March election of directors for our public utility. This number mirrors low turnout rates in
Local Leaders
Voting equals power
A colleague of mine was puzzled recently why only 30 percent of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s members voted in the March election of directors for our public utility.
This number mirrors low turnout rates in recent political elections. In 2006, just 56 percent of Kaua‘i’s registered voters exercised their right, but this was slightly better than the 52.7 percent statewide.
Why are so many not making their voices heard? This question is of particular importance as we approach the county, state and presidential elections slated for later this year.
Certainly government and KIUC give us opportunities. And in political elections, we can either vote by absentee ballot or go to the polls — my personal favorite.
To me, there is something deeply symbolic about standing in line with my fellow citizens, then going into the little booth with the cloth drape to choose the candidates I hope will guide us toward a better future.
For the KIUC election, the co-op tried to make it easy. They gave us a couple of weeks to submit our vote by mail — and even covered the cost of postage.
So why don’t more of us vote? Don’t we want to make sure the best leaders govern our island, our state, our country? Aren’t all of us concerned about our electric rates and the governance of our utility?
Back in school we were taught how lucky we are to live in a democracy. Most of us remember the Abraham Lincoln quote, “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” That means we have to participate in government, take an active role, make our voice heard.
Lincoln left behind another lesser known quote that speaks of the consequences of not voting: “Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” Personally, that’s a fate I choose to avoid.
It’s easy to claim we don’t know enough about the issues to vote. But whose fault is that?
There are usually plenty of forums to meet the candidates and hear what they have to say. Summaries of their ideas appear in the newspaper.
Is it that we don’t have time? Mail-in ballots make voting easy.
Maybe it’s because we have so many other pressing issues to think about, like working, putting food on the table, taking care of the keiki, cleaning the house. But what is the alternative? Others make decisions for us on issues that matter to all of us. Or maybe we think our one vote won’t really make much of a difference. However, we have seen many elections that have been decided by only a very slim majority. Every vote does make a difference.
The large number of people who turned out for the political caucuses in February is an encouraging sign. An article in last Sunday’s The Garden Island reported that the Elections Division is gearing up for an unprecedented turnout in November, due, at least in part, to having an Hawai‘i-born candidate in the presidential race. We need that kind of enthusiasm for every election.
Political campaigning for Nov. 4 elections will ramp up soon. Candidates will wave signs, speak at public forums on issues, mail flyers.
Will you listen? Will you consider the choices and decide who best represents your values and ideas? Will your vote be counted on Election Day?
• Diane Zachary is president and CEO of Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance. She can be reached at kpaa@kauainetwork.org
