Voting process out of control

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 16, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii's makeup of distinct island communities fuels an instinct to preserve home rule. The fact that it frequently prevails as a guiding principle can be a good thing for many issues in which local knowledge helps to keep governance within reach of the people.</p>
<p>In the case of elections, however, the integrity of the operation is only as strong as its weakest link. For the 2012 primary, at least, that proved to be Hawaii County, where a breakdown in procedures caused a ripple effect of delays and has opened the election to challenge.</p>
~~

Hawaii's makeup of distinct island communities fuels an instinct to preserve home rule. The fact that it frequently prevails as a guiding principle can be a good thing for many issues in which local knowledge helps to keep governance within reach of the people.

In the case of elections, however, the integrity of the operation is only as strong as its weakest link. For the 2012 primary, at least, that proved to be Hawaii County, where a breakdown in procedures caused a ripple effect of delays and has opened the election to challenge. Login for more...