1. Understanding Why The Electoral Process Matters… To You, to All of Us JoAnn Maruoka & Piilani Kaopuiki The League of Women Voters of Honolulu 29 September 2008

3. The League of Women Voters (LWV) strictly Non-Partisan wholeheartedly Political National + 900 state & local Leagues Original grassroots citizen network, Original grassroots citizen network, consensus of women & men members consensus of women & men members LWV-HI is statewide, comprised of county LWV-HI is statewide, comprised of county Leagues: Honolulu, Hawaii Is., Kauai, & Maui Leagues: Honolulu, Hawaii Is., Kauai, & Maui

4. LWV-Hawaii The League of Women Voters is where The League of Women Voters is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to community improvement leads to community improvement A great resource with links to other A great resource with links to other relevant sites is the League website relevant sites is the League website www.lwv-hawaii.com www.lwv-hawaii.com

5. Elected officials make decisions about Elected officials make decisions about things that are important to YOU, things that are important to YOU, including YOUR job, YOUR health care, including YOUR job, YOUR health care, YOUR environment & YOUR security YOUR environment & YOUR security Voting is YOUR chance to choose the Voting is YOUR chance to choose the decision makers & to tell them what decision makers & to tell them what YOU want YOU want So What? Why Should I Care?

6. 15th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. (Ratified in 1870) 19th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of sex. (Ratified in 1920) THE PLAYERS Constitutional Election Rights

7. 24th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens to vote in any primary or other election for President or VP, for electors for President or VP, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the US or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax (Ratified in 1964) 26th AMENDMENT, Section 1. The right of US citizens, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of age (Ratified in 1971) THE PLAYERS (cont’d) Constitutional Election Rights

8. A presidential election revolves around beliefs & actions of American voters Come Election Day, no one else’s opinions matter, & no one else has control over the outcome but the voters VOTING = THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN AMERICAN SOCIETY A presidential election revolves around beliefs & actions of American voters Come Election Day, no one else’s opinions matter, & no one else has control over the outcome but the voters VOTING = THE GREAT EQUALIZER IN AMERICAN SOCIETY WE THE PEOPLE

9. YOU HAVE 1 VOTE = EVERYONE ELSE With that 1 vote, you have the power to influence decisions that will affect your life Your job, your taxes, your health care, your Social Security, whether the nation goes to war, you name it — they are all at stake WE THE PEOPLE

10. In Nov 2008, Hawaii Votes on: President & VPPresident & VP Both US RepresentativesBoth US Representatives 12 of the 25 State Senators12 of the 25 State Senators All 51 State RepresentativesAll 51 State Representatives Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) County MayorsCounty Mayors Whether to hold a ConConWhether to hold a ConCon (Constitutional Convention) (Constitutional Convention)

11. REGISTER to vote & help others registerREGISTER to vote & help others register TALK to people about candidates & issuesTALK to people about candidates & issues & why you feel it’s important to vote & why you feel it’s important to vote FIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need to make informed decisions & get to the polls… maybe all they need is a rideFIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need to make informed decisions & get to the polls… maybe all they need is a ride DON’T GO to the polling place ALONE…DON’T GO to the polling place ALONE… make a date to take a friend or neighbor make a date to take a friend or neighbor How YOU Can Help

12. General Election Tue, Nov 4 General Election Tue, Nov 4 Last Day to Register Mon, Oct 6 Last Day to Register Mon, Oct 6 Early Voting: Early Voting: - Last Day to Request - Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot Tue, Oct 28 an Absentee Ballot Tue, Oct 28 - Walk-in polling places Tue, Oct 21 – - Walk-in polling places Tue, Oct 21 – Sat, Nov 1 Sat, Nov 1 Important 2008 Dates Important 2008 Dates

13. Open: TUE, OCT 21 – SAT, NOV 1 Open: TUE, OCT 21 – SAT, NOV 1 MON – SAT, 8 am – 4 pm MON – SAT, 8 am – 4 pm Honolulu Hale (City Hall) Honolulu Hale (City Hall) UH Manoa Campus Center, Rm 306 UH Manoa Campus Center, Rm 306 Aiea Shopping Center, Suite 246 Aiea Shopping Center, Suite 246 Kapolei Hale, 1000 Ulu'ohia St, Conf Rm A,B Kapolei Hale, 1000 Ulu'ohia St, Conf Rm A,B Windward Mall, across from Farrell's Windward Mall, across from Farrell's Early Voting: Walk-in Polling Places Early Voting: Walk-in Polling Places

14. Make your voice heard on Election Day! Get Registered! Get Informed! Get Out & Vote!

15. YOU Are Our Future! We Wish You the Best of Luck

16. Please Join Us in Making a Difference We’re the League of Women Voters of Hawaii

17. Questions?