One unexpected election down, and a big one ahead.

“The result of the recent First Congressional District race should tell us the importance of both the primary and general elections,” reminds business manager Reginald Castanares. “The hard-won victories of the past for labor can be memories if we fail to truly unite and vote.”

The State Office of Elections has come up with a new registration by mail procedure. You need only to download from its website: http://hawaii.gov/elections/voters/ registration.htm.

A wikiwiki form will show on your computer titled “Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration.” Just fill out the one-page form completely and mail it to the appropriate City or County Clerk:

County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni St. Rm. 105
Hilo, HI 96720-4245
Ph. (808) 961-8277

City and County of Honolulu
530 S. King St. Rm. 100
Honolulu, HI 96813-3077
Ph. (808) 768-3800

County of Maui
200 S. High St. Rm. 708
Wailuku, HI 96793-2155
Ph. (808) 270-7749

County of Kauai
4386 Rice St.
Lihue, HI 96766-1819
Ph. (808) 241-4800

If registering to vote for the first time in Hawaii, the affidavit you mail to the Clerk must also include a copy of your current photo ID or some document like a current utility bill, bank statement or government document that shows your name and address. When in doubt, call the Clerk’s office.

You have until Aug. 19 to register to vote in the Primary Election and until Oct. 4 to vote in the General Election.