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Just curious how the local elections later this year are going to be handled if and when lower Puna is cut off by the lava flow.
Maybe I'm being a bit daft, but I'm assuming those in charge of the election process are making plans for everyone in Puna to be able to vote despite the lava flow.
I've not seen anyone mention this so far, so thought I'd bring it up in case anyone has some information to share.
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Mahalo, Mr. Tom. This issue has been in the back of my mind, too. Not only was the primary controversial, but the upcoming general election, if not handled properly, may be even worse.
Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of confidence in our State's election division at this time. Hopefully, we will hear very soon what plans are in place.
JMO.
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I would love to know what excuse our elected officials offer for having ignored the creation of alternate routes in an area of the world that most probably would need them; lower Puna isn't classified lava zones 1 and 2 for nothing! Now no telling how many thousands of $$$ will be spent on over time pay and I do apologize for being redundant and possibly sounding insensitive. My heart goes out to all affected, along with many, many prayers. I also feel bad that the same crews who worked their okoles off after the hurricane, are now having to bust it again. If you see these guys out and about please thank them and buy them lunch or a cold drink.
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I think it would be prudent to vote early in the general.
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Knowing that you are one of the strong Tiffany supporters... I bet that does make a lot of sense to you. Please vote for Tiffany before the prosecutor decides to ..... oh well...[B)]
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If you read the whole proclamation of a State Of Emergency, it basically gives the governor full martial law powers. If a large evacuation is required, elections are usually suspended. Since it will be a staggered evacuation, if it comes to that, first Pahoa village, then whatever area down to Railroad, then another wave last man out Beach road. And this is going to span a year if it keeps going at the present rate. The governor could really make life less complicated for himself if he moves the elections to October if it looks like Hwy 130 has been crossed and heading down to cross Railroad. At that point, almost everybody can get to their poll before they have to evacuate. Then the votes are kept uncounted until the general election for the rest of the state.
"We come in peace!" - First thing said by missionaries and extraterrestrials
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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opihikao,
"Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of confidence in our State's election division at this time. Hopefully, we will hear very soon what plans are in place."
I have little confidence as well, but now they have plenty of time to plan for things. Iselle was one thing, a few days warning, but the lava flow gives them several weeks/months to plan how to deal with the elections for folks in lower Puna and make sure they all have the opportunity to vote.
Really curious to see how this works out in the end.
Aren't absentee ballots still an option? There wasn't enough warning time for Iselle, but now there is six weeks and more. I thought I saw there is at least one precinct that has to vote absentee as a regular thing.
It's an all around sucky situation, but I would think the voters should try to meet Elections half way and maybe avoid problems by voting absentee instead of insisting on a polling place functioning smoothly when maybe that is not going to work.
As an absentee voter, your votes go into an earlier reading, are counted earlier.
Kathy
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It's kind of hard to deliver absentee ballots if the post office is for those areas are behind a wall of hot lava.
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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Dist. 4 Democratic Party chair Philip Matlage and others here who volunteer w/Elections Division have been in touch with state as well as federal officials re: the Nov. 4 general election. I've heard discussion that those with PO boxes in Pahoa would get their mail in Keaau or Hilo but that is still being worked on. I think it's a no-brainer to set up absentee/walk-in voting for the entire lower Puna electorate. I wrote in asking a finalized plan to be established by the end of September and communicated throughout. A number of us are monitoring this so we'll keep you posted.
Malama pono
