Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 9, 1 September 2016 — VOTER APATHY REACHES ALL TIME HIGH [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VOTER APATHY REACHES ALL TIME HIGH

ByTreenaShapiro Hawai'i set a new record for low voter turnout in the Aug. 12 primary election, with only 34.7 percent of registered voters casting ballots. Of 726.940

Hawai'i residents registered to vote, more than 474,000 sat out the 2016 primary. Higher turnout might have changed the results of some contested races, including

mne tegistative contests wnere rewer tnan 4UU votes separated the first and second plaee eandidates. In House District 33, incumbent Rep. Sam Kong beat challenger Tracy Arakaki by 37 votes. In House District 23, Rep. Isaac Choy held on to his seat by a 7 1 vote margin. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has partnered with the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement to encourage more voters to participate in this year's elections. "The low voter turnout in the recent primary eleehon is exactly what our Vote to Rise work is all about," said Jordyn Danner, CNHA ProgramManager with oversight of CNHA's voter initiatives. "It's also the reason the Vote to Rise campaign is designed for year-round registration, with a minimum resource commitment of five years. These numbers are unacceptable and we aim to change them year by year." Vote to Rise will be having canvassing and voter registration events throughout the state in September, where you ean get involved or get registered to vote in the Nov. 8 eleehon. Visit the Council forNative Hawaiian Advancement website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org for more information about voter initiatives. ■

More voters opted to vote early by mail or at walk-in sites where same day registration was available. - Photo: Fmncine Murray