Did We Miss an Opportunity?
by Allen Cardines, Hawaii Family Forum
A recent article by Richard Borreca in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser says so. (Click here to read article). We humbly and respectfully disagree.
Please remember that the iVOTE campaign was established to inspire and empower the people of Hawaii to build a foundation of hope for the future. True leadership is forged by personal and shared responsibility in the electoral process. This synergy is life-giving and extremely critical in building a wave of momentum as we move into the General Election.
Since the iVOTE campaign efforts began, we have seen several areas of improvement and growth.
- According to the Office of Elections, voter registration has increased by 17,000 since the last primary election. We know from internal reports that churches played a roll in this growth.
- Awareness and education on voting your conscience and values have increased. We know this is true because of the surge in requests by churches for voter education. Over 45,000 people accessed our 2010 Primary Election voter guide
- Pastors are reporting that people who never voted in their lifetime registered and voted for the first time
Do not be disheartened, however, by the low turnout during the primary election or the negative reporting assigned to it. As you already know, and we consistently reported, Hawaii is one of the lowest in the nation in voter registration and turnout - especially during the Primary. Over the last ten years, according to reports by the Office of Elections, the lowest turnout for the primary was reported at 36.9 percent in 2008. That means that in 2010, the turnout improved by almost 5%.
We have an opportunity on November 2nd to finally become a state where not only Christians, but unions, civic groups, other religious denominations, and others take their responsibility seriously and show up at the polls to vote for a better future for the people of Hawaii. Each of us bear the responsibility for hope!
Each of us must ask these questions of ourselves:
- Are you willing to take personal responsibility for the results of the 2010 Primary elections and its low turnout of 42.8%?
- Are you willing to make sure that your friends and family members who are eligible to vote are registered by October 4th to vote in the General Election?
- Are you willing to encourage your friends and family members who have requested absentee ballots to actually fill them out and return them by the due date?
- Are you willing to vote your values and conscience when you enter the ballot box?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have just seized the opportunity to hope, and then vote, for a better future. Have we lost an opportunity? Only you can answer that question.
Successful iVOTE Effort Continues
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Prov 29:2 NKJV)
Thank you for supporting the goals and strategies for iVOTE during the primary election. Your efforts resulted in a 42.8 percent turnout.
Once again, we humbly ask for your wholehearted support in the next 40 days. Here is a summary of the iVOTE 40 day plan
Click here for iVOTE Overview | Click here for iVOTE Timeline
- Each church will pray for God’s blessings on all the candidates, their supporters, opponents and families.
- Each pastors will ask for 100% voter registration (by October 4, 2010) and participation (get out to vote) from his/her congregation on November 2, 2010.
- Each pastor will educate 100% of his/her congregation about candidate’s platform and values.
- Each pastor will challenge 100% of his/her congregation to get out and vote on November 2, 2010.
God bless and thanks for your leadership for iVOTE 2010 General Election.
Aloha, Allen
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Voter Registration Resources
Hawaii Family Forum provides FREE resources to help you conduct a non-partisan voter registration drive in your church, and we hope you will do so this Sunday, September 26. (DEADLINE FOR GENERAL ELECTION REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 4, 2010)
Where to start?
One of our founding fathers, Samuel Adams, said: "Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote... that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country."
Again, we need your help in registering church members to vote. Hawaii’s deadline for voter registration is October 4, so time is short if we expect to have our people ready for Election Day.
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KEY DATES TO REMEMBER
The General Election is right around the corner. Here are some key dates coming up to keep in mind:
- LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE GENERAL: October 4, 2010
- Absentee Ballots should be mailed out around October 6, 2010 and begin to arrive around the time.
- GENERAL ELECTION: November 2, 2010 (Tuesday)
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INFO: www.HawaiiFamilyForum.org
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