Posted on: Thursday, September 30, 2004
Registration deadline Monday for election
By Derrick DePledge and Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writers
Only a few days are left to register for the November general election, when voters will choose the U.S. president, Honolulu mayor, state Legislature and state school board.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Voter turnout was 39.7 percent for the Sept. 18 primary, but election officials expect thousands of additional voters to participate in the general election. In 2000, the last presidential election year, primary turnout was about the same as this year, but jumped to 58.2 percent for the general election.
Voter registration forms are available in telephone books, government offices, public libraries, the University of Hawai'i and other locations. They can be mailed or dropped off to city and county clerks.
Elections officials and activists are urging people to register and vote. Yesterday, more than 80 Waimanalo residents held an "I am Native Hawaiian and I Vote" rally near Waimanalo Beach Park. Participants lined up along both sides of Kalaniana'ole Highway during pau hana traffic to wave signs.
Horns honked and drivers flashed shaka signs.
"There are a lot of issues before the state Legislature that could have an impact," said rally organizer Tony Sang of Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association. "We're asking our Native Hawaiians to come out and vote."
When is the election? The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 2. Can I still register to vote? Oct. 4 is the deadline to register to vote in the general election. I voted in 2002. Do I need to re-register? No, unless you have moved or changed your name. Can I till request a mail-in absentee ballot? The deadline is Oct. 26. Who is eligible to vote? You must be a U.S. citizen, legal resident of Hawai'i and at least 18 years old on election day. Source: Office of Elections Another Native Hawaiian voter rally is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Honolulu Hale.
Last weekend, volunteers registered more than 150 people at a Kapi'olani Park music and spoken-word concert sponsored by MTV's Rock the Vote. Although the concert had to compete with the professional beach volleyball finals across the street, organizers believe the event was worthwhile.
"Any breakthrough we can get, especially with the younger demographic, I would call it a success," said Cathy Yasuda, a poll worker who helped register young voters.
Joseph Rosales, who performs as Seph I, said young people may respond better to political messages about voting in a concert setting than at more traditional political events.
"This is our, I wouldn't say rebellion, but this is definitely rebel music," he said. "They want to hear something they can relate to."
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
The registration deadline is Monday.
Betty Kupahu was one of about 80 Waimanalo residents who held signs and waved at commuters yesterday to remind voters that a number of issues important to Native Hawaiians will be decided by the lawmakers they choose in the November election.
Ku'ulei Laughlan, a volunteer voter registration clerk, signed up two voters in the first half hour of the rally. Both picked up signs, donned T-shirts and joined the group on the street.
VOTER REGISTRATION
