Full disclosure: Though I am Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, this column is not written for or on behalf of the Democratic Party of Hawaii – but is my personal and individual voice only.

My initial inclination today is to write about how a majority of Hawaii State Legislators profess to be Democrats and are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, but do not support the priorities of the Party. I am speaking of course on their failure to pass a living wage measure or even $15 per hour.

But readers will have to wait a bit more for that discussion. I have learned not to write when I am angry, or incredibly disappointed.

And of course, the Covid-19 pandemic is consuming all of our energy at the moment.

Today’s topic is the upcoming Democratic Party of Hawaii’s Presidential Preference Poll, or put another way Hawaii’s Presidential Primary.

If you are a Hawaii registered Democrat you should have already been mailed a ballot, or you will be getting one shortly.

YOU NEED TO MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT – ASAP

Please. If you have gotten the ballot in the mail, complete the information and send it back in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope today!

If you have not yet gotten a ballot in the mail and you are a Democrat or think you are a Democrat or want to be a Democrat, read on.

DUE TO COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, ON-SITE VOTING HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND A 3RD ROUND OF BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED;

To BE INCLUDED IN THIS 3RD AND FINAL MAILING, YOU MUDT REGISTER AND ENROLL BY THE END OF THE DAY, TODAY APRIL 4th, 2020

Many residents think they are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, simply because they normally vote for a Democrat in regular primary elections.

This is not the case – You have to actually go to the Democratic Party of Hawaii Website and sign up to be a member of the Party to be considered a Registered Democrat and thus qualify to vote in the Hawaii Democratic Presidential Preference Poll.

All the info to join the Democratic Party of Hawaii is here:
https://secure.ngpvan.com/E_vyVj97Wke7zO27VmppSg2

Register to vote here: https://olvr.hawaii.gov

The Democratic Party of Hawaii 2020 Presidential Preference Poll will be ENTIRELY by mail-in ballots.

To participate, residents have to be both registered to vote in the State of Hawaii AND be registered members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

If you are not sure if you are a member of the Democratic Party of Hawaii or not, I strongly encourage you to go to the website and join BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY TODAY APRIL 4TH. If you have not received a ballot, then it is likely that for whatever reason you are not showing up on the Party membership list – so again please visit the Party’s website and JOIN the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Final point: If I am not pleased with the actions of the majority of Democrats serving in the Hawaii legislature, why am I encouraging you to join the Party? The answer is that I hope you will then join me in helping to change that unfortunate dynamic. The Democratic Party of Hawaii has an excellent platform with core values that put people and the planet first. We just need more Democrats to join the Party, get involved and more strongly encourage our elected officials to act and vote like Democrats.