Publisher's Note:

Making  Our Voice Count

On September 18 (Primary Election) and November 2 (General Election), Hawaiiout  and pick who the right and credible persons are  to sit in office. Get to know them.  Let us not be swayed by political propaganda. Investigate what they are up to in improving the lives of the citizenry. There are a lot of issues besetting the community that needs to be addressed.  electorate will be deciding who will run the affairs of the government though the ballot. This is an opportune time to speak

Whether you are local born or naturalized American citizen, one of the most important vested rights is the right of suffrage or the right to vote. To some,  this is not a big thing and might even have the thinking that whoever wins does not have an impact on one’s life. Let’s be proactive. Let it not be said that your vote is just a single voice. You can make a difference.

 Aside from the traditional way of casting a vote wherein you must go to your assigned precinct on election day, you may opt to  do the absentee voting procedure. If you will on vacation or may not have time to go to the polling place, this may be more a more convenient option.

How do we do this? The following procedure is found at the  State of Hawaii, Office of  Elections Office website (www.hawaii.gov/elections).

Anyone registered to vote may vote by absentee ballot – by mail or in person.

To vote absentee by mail:

• You must submit an Application for Absentee Voter Ballot (also known as the

Wikiwiki Absentee Application form) or write a letter to the City/County Clerk where

you are registered to vote. You will need to specify the address you want your ballot

mailed to; and

• You must return your completed Application for Absentee Voter Ballot to your

City/County Clerk on Maui at:

            Maui County Clerk’s Office

            200 South High Street, #708

            Wailuku, HI 96793

            Monday to Saturday: 8am–4pm

by the following deadlines:

          Primary: Saturday, September 11, 2010

          General: Tuesday, October 26, 2010

• You must return your voted Absentee Ballot to your City/County Clerk by the day of

the respective election.

To vote absentee in person, you must vote at an absentee polling place established by the City/County Clerk where you are registered to vote.

You do not need to request an absentee ballot to vote absentee in person. The periods for Absentee Voting-in-person are:

            Primary: September 3 – 16, 2010

            General: October 19 – 30, 2010

            Let us then go out and vote!

            Aloha and Mabuhay!