Common Cause Hawai’i works to Register Voters

Amy Nakamura, 'Iolani School|September 10, 2016

Due to low voter turnout numbers, Common Cause Hawai’i is championing the implementation of an online automatic voter registration system.
This would mean that Hawai’i residents would be automatically registered to vote in local and national elections when they receive their drivers license.

In 2015, online voter registration went into effect, and this year, same day voter registration has been made available to Hawai’i residents.
However, Common Cause Hawai’i is trying to take the next step: online automatic voter registration. The bill for this system has yet to pass through both the House and the Senate and get approval from the Governor’s office.


“More communication, education, and more discussion is needed with our legislators” in order to pass and protect automatic voter registration laws, Executive Director Corie Tanida said today at a news conference.
Many are concerned with the security issues that may arise when registering voters. While some are worried the participation of non-U.S. Citizens who receive their drivers license, Tanida says that the verification of social security is necessary for the registration to be complete. Although these social security numbers will be made available online, Tanida assures that they will not be made public.

Common Cause Hawai’i is continuing to expand democracy and equality through providing voting rights to all U.S citizens in Hawai’i