What are these questions on the back of my ballot?
Honolulu:
On one side of the ballot you’ll find the different candidates running for office and on the other side you’ll find 4 questions. Although, there have been numerous debates, advertising and social media posts to inform us about the candidates in this election, there has been little discussion about the four questions to amend the Charter of Honolulu. Below is each Honolulu charter question with an explanation of what a yes or no vote means.
Honolulu City and County: Proposed Amendments to the Honolulu City Charter
Question 1: Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to establish for the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu a term limit of two consecutive full four-year terms, the same term limit as is applicable to the Mayor and Councilmembers of the City and County of Honolulu? Download Full
A "yes" vote supports establishing term limits for the city's prosecuting attorney of two consecutive four-year terms, the same term limits that exist for the mayor and city council.
A "no" vote supports keeping the Honolulu City and County Prosecuting Attorney in itʻs current state of no term limits.
Question 2: Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to establish a Youth Commission under the Managing Director? Download Full
A "yes" vote supports establishing a 15-member youth (ages 14-24) commission, appointed by the mayor and city council in order to make recommendations to the city council and mayor concerning policies related to youth.
A "no" vote opposes this measure to establish a 15-member youth commission consisting of members between the ages of 14 and 24 appointed by the mayor and city council.
Question 3: Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to allow the Honolulu Ethics Commission to control its own budget after it has been enacted? Download Full
A "yes" vote supports allowing the ethics commission control over its own budget allotments after the budget has been enacted, instead of leaving that authority to the mayor.
A "no" vote opposes allowing the ethics commission control over its own budget allotments after the budget has been enacted, thereby leaving the mayor with authority to make revisions to budget allotment schedules.
Question 4: Shall the Revised Charter be amended to require ethics commission staff to be appointed based on merit principles, but exempt them from the civil service position classification plan, and to have the salaries of all ethics commission staff set by the ethics commission, subject to specified limitations. Download Full
A "yes" vote supports authorizing the Ethics Commission to appoint and determine salaries for its own staff, without the city's civil service position classification provided. Appointments are based on merit as described in the charter.
A "no" vote opposes authorizing the Ethics Commission to appoint and determine salaries for its own staff, without the city's civil service position classification provided. Appointments are based on merit as described in the charter.