In Honolulu County, many of us cast our ballots in the recently concluded election for city council district 4, passionately supporting candidate Tommy Waters. To our deep disappointment, Tommy Waters was unexpectedly disqualified after ballots had already been distributed, leaving those of us who voted for him without a voice. The integrity of our democratic process demands that no voter be left disenfranchised due to unforeseen candidate disqualifications.

The foundational principle of democracy is that every vote counts, and every voter deserves representation. When a candidate is abruptly disqualified mid-process, it undermines our trust in the electoral system and deprives us of our constitutional right to choose our representatives. This situation in Honolulu has left a significant portion of district 4 voters disenfranchised, denied their right to be heard and represented.

Nearly one-third of district 4's electorate supported Tommy Waters, a candidate they believed was best suited to represent their interests and address their concerns. These voters have now been left without the representation they rightfully chose. This is not merely a procedural mishap; it is a profound disruption affecting our community’s collective voice within local governance.

In summary:

1.  Voter Intent Was Compromised: if a candidate disqualification occurs after a primary election, the votes cast for that candidate are effectively wiped out, leaving residents with a general election matchup they did not choose.
2. Lack of Prior Warning: If the courts or election officials do not definitively rule on a candidate's eligibility before candidate filing closes, other potential candidates might be discouraged from entering the race.  A clean slate is required so the community has a fair opportunity to choose from a full field of eligible candidates.
3.  Democratic Integrity: Holding a new election ensures that whoever wins the seat possesses a clear mandate from the current electorate, rather than advancing due to a legal disqualification on a technicality.

To remedy this, we urgently call for a special election in district 4. This would not only restore voter confidence by ensuring that all votes truly matter, but it would also reaffirm our commitment to democratic principles and fair representation. We must make it clear that any issue that threatens electoral integrity is unacceptable.

Previous instances have shown that special elections lead to higher voter satisfaction and trust in the electoral process when similar problems arise. The cost of a special election is a small price to pay for guaranteeing that democracy functions as it should. Letting this situation go unaddressed would set a dangerous precedent, suggesting that voter disenfranchisement is tolerable.

We urge the Honolulu City Council and all relevant election authorities to take immediate action to rectify this situation. By scheduling a special election, we can ensure that each vote is meaningful and that district 4 is equitably represented.

Every voice deserves to be heard, and every vote deserves to count. Please sign this petition to demand a special election in Honolulu city council district 4, ensuring justice and fairness for all voters.