Life is returning to “normal” or at least a “new normal,” post-Covid. The State League board had its first in-person board meeting on August 27 in Honolulu.
There was other good news: Hawaii ranked fourth in the 2022 study of the “Cost of Voting in the American States,” meaning Hawaii’s “cost” to vote is low. See New York Times, 9/21/2022, “The ‘Cost’ of Voting in America: A Look at Where It’s Easiest and Hardest.” The study “ranks all 50 states based on the overall investment a resident must make, in time and resources, to vote.” Hawaii’s low cost can be attributed to the many ways citizens can register to vote (online, mail, in-person and election day) and vote (in-person, early voting and by mail). These were all strongly supported by the League of Women Voters.
However, there is a growing concern that our elections and our democracy are under attack.
It’s on the mainland and in Hawaii. I recently watched public testimony at a Hawaii Elections Commission meeting. A large number of people listed complaints, demanded audits of elections (2020 and 2022 primary), and sought to eliminate voting by mail. A few made threats against elections officials.
LWVUS/EF recognized the heart of these attacks is mis-and disinformation about our elections. In response, League launched the “Democracy Truth Project,” one of four prongs of our “Women Power Democracy” program.
League provides guidance on how to combat mis- and disinformation:
LWV Mis- and Disinformation Graphics & Guidance
- “Never quote the bad information. This only helps to spread the bad messages wider.
- Refer to the bad information without repeating it. Say, “Some bad actors are making false claims about the legitimacy of the 2020 election,” rather than “Rep. XYZ says that thousands of ballots were stuffed at the election office. This isn’t true.”
- Focus on providing the correct information and, if possible, include trustworthy sources for where to learn more.
- It cannot be said enough: DO NOT REPEAT OR QUOTE BAD INFORMATION.”
League advises not to engage with those espousing mis- or disinformation. However, please know that it has been reported that elections officials –and sometimes their families -- are being threatened, sometimes physically. This cannot be tolerated.
What can you do? If you have the opportunity, become an official elections observer or work at Voter Service Centers or counting centers. It may be too late to be hired for the 2022 elections but consider doing so in the future. League members have been precinct workers and official observers for decades in Hawaii. These workers and observers have long reported their confidence in the election process.
Thank elections officials and workers. They are dedicated and work hard to conduct open, fair and honest elections in Hawaii. Their efforts to continue making this system work is greatly appreciated. They are our Election Heroes.
The system of free and fair elections in the United States is the foundation upon which our democratic system of government is based. Voting is our opportunity to support our community and have a say in our future. The League of Women Voters will continue to ensure all eligible voters have the opportunity and information to have a say in their future. And make democracy work.
by Donna Oba
President, LWV Hawaii