I am a candidate for the county election, passionately striving to serve my community. I write this plea out of a deep concern for the integrity and reliability of our democratic processes, particularly the primary elections of District 6, Hawaii County in 2024.

Transparency and accuracy in vote counting are crucial to ensuring the vitality of our democracy. I bring to your notice the instances in the past where discrepancies in vote counts have led to a mistrust in the electoral process. In the 2018 general elections in Florida, a recount was demanded considering the narrow margin of votes between candidates, demonstrating the potential significance of even a single vote (source: Congressional Research Service). With District 6’s close-knit community, every vote carries more weight; every individual’s voice is more impactful.

Given this, it is our collective responsibility to ensure every vote is counted accurately. A full hand recount can bring us one step closer to this goal. It is not just about the fairness of the election, but also about the faith of the people in our democratic system.

Standing together as proud citizens of Hawaii, we urge our elected officials and the relevant authorities to conduct a full hand recount of votes following the 2024 primary elections in Hawaii County District 6. This is how we affirm our commitment to transparency, accuracy, and trust in our democratic elections.

Please join me in this endeavor and sign our petition. - Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith