Malls refuse to allow voter registration on site
Pearlridge and Ala Moana seem to be confused on the difference between politics and civic duty.
National Voter Registration Day is right around the corner (Sept. 24), and the League of Women Voters Hawaii is doing it’s best to get Honolulu residents registered. Voting is a part of our civic duty. It’s the backbone of democracy. And while we are voting for politicians, the act of registering to vote itself is not political.
Ala Moana Shopping Center and Pearlridge Shopping Center seem to be confused about that. Both malls denied the League’s request to register voters on their premises. Both would have made excellent target sites in the League’s efforts to get young people registered especially. It would be one thing if the League was promoting a particular candidate or party, but they aren’t. They’re performing they’re own civic duty by helping under-represented groups (like young people) grow their voice and there is nothing wrong with that.
One shopping center that has it figured out the right way is Mililani Town Center. The League will have representatives there on the 24 from noon to 6 p.m.