Rachel Maddow warned viewers on Monday that President Donald Trump plans to interfere with midterm election results, following the Supreme Court’s recent 7-2 ruling against his executive order instructing the US Postal Service (USPS) to block states from distributing and collecting mail-in ballots.
Trump’s order, which he signed last March, would’ve directed the USPS to refuse to deliver mail-in ballots to anyone whose information hadn’t been properly submitted to a new state citizenship list maintained by the federal government.
“Trump is counting on confusion, uncertainty, and a lack of confidence in the mail-in voting system to suppress voter turnout,” she said.
Aloha, and thank you for sharing your perspective as someone who lives here in Honolulu County. I appreciate your concern about ensuring people can vote without barriers. Let me address your points directly and clarify how the voting system actually works here.
Your Concerns
You’ve raised valid points about Honolulu County’s infrastructure and the fact that Hawaii uses mail-in voting. You’re correct that:
Clarifying the Actual Process
However, I need to correct some misinformation that could actually suppress turnout:
1. Voter Service Centers ARE Available Early Voter Service Centers are open for 10 business days prior to Election Day, giving voters plenty of time to cast ballots in person without the Election Day rush. The centers at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale are staffed to handle these volumes.
2. Drop Boxes Are Designed for High Volume Honolulu County has 16 ballot drop boxes strategically placed throughout the County. These are specifically designed to handle the volume of mail ballots efficiently. They’re secure, monitored, and checked regularly.
3. Mail Remains the Easiest Option You’re absolutely right that mail-in voting is the easiest method. All active registered voters automatically receive a ballot by mail. Simply fill it out and return it. No stamp needed.
The Bottom Line
Your core concern that voters shouldn’t face barriers to casting their ballot is absolutely valid and shared by the Elections Division. But the current system is designed to accommodate multiple voting methods precisely to prevent the infrastructure issues you’re concerned about. The easiest way to vote remains: receive your mail ballot, fill it out, and return it via mail or drop box. The Voter Service Centers and drop boxes are backup options that exist to ensure no one is left behind. If you have specific concerns about drop box locations or voter service center hours, please call our Elections Division at (808) 768-3800 so we can address them directly.
Mahalo for caring about voter participation.
Slop
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