Posted on: Monday, November 4, 2002

EDITORIAL
Federal voting law an opportunity for us

It's almost a cinch bet that one of the conversations people will have after tomorrow's elections will be about the "poor" voter turnout.

No matter how excited people have become in these final days, the turnout is certain to be below the record numbers posted in the early days of statehood. There are all kinds of explanations for the low turnout, ranging from apathy to disgust.

But there is another reason for low turnouts: Difficulty, real or perceived, in getting through the process. Hawai'i has done a lot to make it easier to register and vote over the years, but it still remains a process intimidating to some.

More could be done. For instance, there should be serious discussion of "same-day" voting. That is, people should — if the spirit moves them — walk up to a polling place and register and vote on Election Day.

Any kind of voting reform will cost money, of course. And that's why it is encouraging that Congress has passed, and President Bush has signed, voter "reform" legislation spurred by the election fiasco in Florida in 2000. Fundamentally, the law lowers barriers to voting that may be a greater concern on the Mainland than in Hawai'i.

The bill authorizes $3.9 billion to upgrade election equipment, make polling sites more accessible and other changes.

Hawai'i should take advantage of the moment and see what changes we can make to ensure voting is as easy and painless as it is important.