MI Asks Locals: Do Smaller Ballots Help ‘Save Democracy’?

Welcome to the second edition of the Maui Insight series, MI Asks Locals, which does just that: Poses a single question for Maui residents to share their thoughts.

Recently, the Democratic Party of Hawaii filed papers to keep a U.S. President candidate off our state ballot for the election this November. The appeal by the party of “saving democracy” was rejected by state election officials due to lack of evidence.

It made us curious. Why might anyone want to prevent us from voting for a particular person who has committed to serve the public? Is there a benefit? An advantage? To save time? To avoid confusion? Save paper?

Befuddled, we asked around. For this session, we caught up with some Maui residents at the Upcountry Farmers Market last week.

Here’s what Maui locals said when we asked, Do Smaller Ballots Help to ‘Save Democracy?’

Leilani Jacobs, 26, of Kula

“It seems like blocking someone from a ballot is the exact opposite of democracy. So, no, shrinking ballots does not help save democracy.”

Jack Nixon, 36, of Wailuku

“Save democracy from what? Democracy is government of or by the people. That is, all the people. So the more people engaged, the better, in my mind. Fighting to keep someone off a ballot does nothing to save democracy.”

Tina Woolsy, 43, of Kihei

“Is this a trick question? Of course reducing choices on ballots is not good for the democratic process.”

Peter Moorehead, 59, of Wailea

“Democracy would be safer with way more candidates on every ballot. The more, the merrier. Seriously, who would want less?”

Jeffrey Chi, 25, of Kahului

“Trying to keep someone off a ballot sounds like a cruel or unreasonable abuse of power or control. That most definitely is not good for democracy. It's a matter of access to the ballot.”

Mimi Crobeck, 20, Haliimaile

“It matters who it is. We should be able to stop people who we don’t like from being on a ballot. It’s hurtful and dangerous.”

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