Posted on: Tuesday, August 3, 2004

EDITORIAL
Voting too important to shrug off easily

The number of registered voters in Hawai'i is low, but there is every possibility that the figures will look better the closer it gets to election day.

They should.

For all the cynicism about politics and the electoral process, voting still matters — big time.

While it is now almost a cliché to mention it, the last cliffhanger presidential election should be evidence enough of the importance of each and every vote.

The total number of people registered to vote in Hawai'i this year is down from two years ago, in part because election officials have been actively purging inactive voters.

This will have the ironic effect of increasing turnout percentage figures, since the base will be smaller.

But it need not be smaller. Officials note that presidential elections — particularly elections as close as this year's — tend to drive up voter registration and participation.

However, it would be a shame if voters restricted their participation to the general election.

Potentially, much could be decided in the primary. A good example is Honolulu, where mayor, prosecutor and City Council members could be chosen in the primary. Actually, the prosecutor will be chosen in the primary election; mayor and council members will be elected if they get more than half the vote.

Local residents who are blasé about the importance of voting might take a second look at Afghanistan, where against great odds and at no small amount of danger to themselves, fully 90 percent of eligible voters have signed up for the October elections.

Afghan people know the importance of voting and how precious that right is.

Registration closes for the primary on Aug. 19. It is simple and easy to do. Get to it.