1. Understanding Why The Electoral Process Matters… To You, to All of Us JoAnn Maruoka & Piilani Kaopuiki The League of Women Voters of Honolulu 1 November 2010

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: LWV-HI is statewide: County Leagues of Honolulu, & Hawaii Is. County Leagues of Honolulu, & Hawaii Is. Members on Kauai & Maui Members on 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 & will be important to things that are & will be important to YOU, including YOUR job, YOUR YOU, including YOUR job, YOUR health care, YOUR environment & health care, YOUR environment & YOUR security 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) THE PLAYERS Constitutional Election Rights

7. 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 (cont’d) Constitutional Election Rights

8. 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) THE PLAYERS (cont’d) Constitutional Election Rights

9. 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

10. A presidential election revolves around beliefs & actions of American voters On 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 On 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

11. YOUR 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 YOUR 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

12. REGISTER - If you are at least 16 VOTE - If you are or will be 18 by election day (Nov 2012) PARTICIPATE

13. In Nov 2012, Hawaii Votes on: President & VPPresident & VP Both US RepresentativesBoth US Representatives Half of the 25 State SenatorsHalf of the 25 State Senators All 51 State RepresentativesAll 51 State Representatives State & local issuesState & local issues

14. REGISTER to vote & help othersREGISTER to vote & help others to register to register TALK to people about candidates & issues & why you feel it’s importantTALK to people about candidates & issues & why you feel it’s important to vote to vote How YOU Can Help Increase Voter Turnout

15. FIND OUT if your family, friends, neighbors have what they need toFIND 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 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 Increase Voter Turnout (cont’d)

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

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

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

19. Questions?