For Immediate Release: March 12, 2014
Press release by:
Councilmember Mike White
Maui County Council
White urges more early walk-in voting locations
WAILUKU, Hawaii – The Maui County Council adopted a resolution yesterday urging the County Clerk to increase the number of early walk-in voting locations throughout Maui County, Councilmember Mike White announced today.
In 2012, two early walk-in voting locations were available for the primary and general elections – the Kalana O Maui Building on Maui and the Mitchell Pauole Center on Molokai. White introduced the resolution to support voter access and equal voting opportunities for Maui County’s multi-isle community, he said.
“Voting must be encouraged, whether on election day, via absentee mail-in or early walk-in,” White said. “As the resolution states, ‘The right to vote is critical in upholding a vibrant democracy,’ and the opportunity to participate should be made available and accessible to our citizens.”
Resolution 14-34 says Hawaii had the lowest voter turnout in the nation in 2012. The resolution also states turnout among Maui County voters in the last election was even lower than the state average of 44.5 percent.
“Although mail-in voting is an option, greater access to early walk-in voting would make it more convenient to cast a ballot, likely increasing voter turnout,” White said. “Many residents still prefer voting at a physical location.”
White said the County Clerk has already taken necessary steps to put together a proposal for an early walk-in voting location on Lanai.
According to the State Office of Elections, walk-in voting will be available July 28 to Aug. 7 for the Aug. 9 primary election and Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 for the Nov. 4 general election. County clerks determine walk-in voting locations throughout the state.
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