JABSOM Library: Library Updates

VOTE 2020

You may or may not have heard, but there is an election happening this year!

You may have also heard that 2020 is the year that Hawai'i begins to vote by mail. You only have to walk as far as your mailbox. Follow these easy steps to make sure you're doing your part to save democracy.

1. Register to vote by October 5th. Double-check your address, too!
2. Make sure you get your ballot by October 16. If you don't, contact these people.
3. Fill out your ballot! Not sure who these people are? You can research candidates and positions at Vote Smart or LWV. Both of these sources are non-partisan and credible.
4. Put your ballot in the mail by October 27th. If you miss that date, you can return to a Place of Deposit. (Honolulu Hale is the closest one to JABSOM).
5. NOVEMBER 3, 2020: all ballots must be received no later than 7pm. Find a Voter Service Center or Place of Deposit to submit your ballot.

Why you need to vote ASAP: there's a lot going on right now. COVID-19, meddling with the Post Office, misinformation on social media, and yes Russia is back at it. The sooner you return your ballot, the better.

Think of it a little bit like mask-wearing, but for democracy. Planning and voting early offers you more confidence that your vote counted, and the more people who do that, the more likely other voters participate in — and poll workers and election officials manage — a much more efficient and fair election for everyone. And everyone can be a little more confident that their vote counted. 

-Jen Kirby