Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Ballot request falls
through the cracksQuestion: I have been voting absentee for nearly 20 years from here in Japan. I have not received my ballot package this year. I mailed the letter more than a week before the Primary Election. Attached is an e-mail I sent to elections@aloha.net, but I have not yet received a response. Could you find out what happened and have my ballot mailed to me?
Answer: The city's elections office had no record of a written request from you for an absentee ballot this year, although you are shown as voting two years ago, said Glen Takahashi, election administrator for the City and County of Honolulu.
The e-mail address you noted is for the state elections office. However, since you list a permanent address in Hawaii Kai, your request for an absentee ballot would have been handled by the City and County of Honolulu.
Although the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot had passed -- the deadline was 4:30 p.m. Oct. 29 for this year's general election -- because you are overseas and because of extenuating circumstances, Takahashi said you would be allowed to vote by fax.
However, he noted that by doing so, you give up your right to a secret ballot.
Takahashi emphasized that voting by fax is allowed in only a few approved cases and then, only if the voter is overseas.
From time to time, people will complain that they did not receive an absentee ballot, Takahashi noted.
In those cases, the records are checked to see when the request came in and when a ballot was mailed. A replacement is then sent if necessary and if there is time.
Auwe
To political candidates who sign-wave in a dangerous manner. One candidate sign-waves at the corner of Keeaumoku and Wilder, standing in such a way that he and his sign are literally flush to the very edge of the corner, making a right turn from Wilder to Keeaumoku precarious. He'd better move, or next time his sign is going to meet my truck in a rather unpleasant encounter. But he's not the only one doing this. All candidates should be limited to one sign each. -- No Name
Tax prep help sought
The IRS and AARP Tax-Aide are looking for volunteers to provide free tax help during the next tax filing season. Volunteers are needed to prepare federal and state returns for senior citizens, the disabled, the non-English speaking and those with limited incomes.The IRS, state Department of Taxation and AARP Tax-Aide will provide training on preparing basic individual income tax returns and, in some cases, how to file them electronically. All materials and training are provided for free.
Anyone can be a volunteer, although there is a special need for people with computer skills.
Organizations, such as local civic or fraternal societies, educational institutions, religious organizations and social groups can also participate or host a tax preparation site in the community.
For more information, call the IRS at 539-1503.
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