Could same-day registration bring out voters?

When it comes to presidential elections, the Democratic Party’s hold over Hawaii is, well, yawn-inducing. Todd Belt, a UH-Hilo political science professor, explains: “We’ve become a very uncompetitive state. When people are worried their side might not win, that’s when they turn out to vote.” Then it’s not surprising — given that Hawaii is the only state in the country with an all-blue state Senate — that for the fifth presidential election in a row, we had the lowest voter turnout rate nationwide, with only 43 percent of voters casting ballots, according to a new study.

Each of the top five states, led by Minnesota (74.8 percent), offer same-day registration and updates. Those at the bottom cut off registration within three to four weeks of Election Day. Maybe a switch to same-day would wake up some voters?

#BoycottHawaii finds supporters in unlikely places

A funny thing happened on the way to the end of the #BoycottHawaii Twitter campaign. It was meant as a slap from President Donald Trump’s supporters after Hawaii won a temporary restraining order. The TRO targeted the ban on U.S. entry for refugees and nationals of six Muslim-majority countries. Then Trump opponents got their revenge with their own smackdown. Good, they tweeted. Stay away.

These campaigns do go viral, but beware. Viruses are unpredictable.