Make Voting Matter is a coalition of activists, civic groups, and political parties from all states working for smart election reform. We insist the United States Congress and State Legislatures eliminate the Electoral College and all Super Delegate systems in deciding our Presidential and Vice Presidential choices. We advocate for education and political forums to empower voters, so candidates and policy proposals can be well considered by informed citizens. We demand a truly democratic process, a process in which voting matters.
Mission
End the Electoral College and Super Delegate systems to
Make Voting Matter.
Make Voting Matter.
Anna Brown and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
MAKE VOTING MATTER was formed in Hilo, Hawaii on August 28th, 2016 right after Hawaii held its Primary. We saw a few things going on. Extremely high turn out to our Presidential Preference Poll for the Caucuses in May 2016. The lines were long and enthusiastic for Senator Bernie Sanders; the Democratic Party elite i.e. the Super Delegates had voiced their allegiance for the establishment candidate; Hillary Rodham Clinton in January 2016 en masse—effectively making the Democratic Primary season a sham. In the mean time, the Republicans had a survivor for the fittest reality TV style contest, that was full of surprises and almost impossible not to watch. Especially, since the media was giving over 2 billion dollars of free air time to cover the Donald Trump rallies live into peoples living rooms. Mainstream media was not doing this for any other candidate. Trump eventually became the nominee for the Republican Party in July 2016. In addition, the Libertarian and Green Party candidates, suddenly became tempting for many Democratic Voters who felt shut-out by their party Super Delegates; and by Republicans who could not stomach the rhetoric from Donald J. Trump.
Resolutions were prepared in 19 states, including the State of Hawaii to End the Super Delegate System in the Democratic National Convention – Rules Committee in July 2016. Sanders and Clinton supporters held an all day debate in Philadelphia on how to end or radically alter the Super Delegate System in the party. At the end of the day, they reached a compromise to create a Unity Commission to study the issue over the course of 2017 and make recommendations. Many Sanders supporters became extremely disheartened. The voter turnout in the State of Hawaii for the Primary in August 2016 was one of the lowest in our Democratic State in history—despite the hot national drama playing out between Clinton and Trump.
So it is in that context that several us gathered on the morning of Sunday, August 28th, at Shark’s Coffee in Hilo, Hawaii in dismay and frustration, but with steely determination to Change the System. Our group consisted of: Christine Mingo, Donovan Shouse, Anna Brown, Heather Kimball, and County Council Woman Margaret Wille. We were honored to have Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard make a call in from Honolulu that Sunday morning, to give us fifteen minutes of her time. Since then our group has expanded to the following Partners, and we can guarantee you that we shall keep growing. We are beginning to get Partners from other states joining us, as well. See Partners page.
HILO MAKE VOTING MATTER FOUNDERS:
Resolutions were prepared in 19 states, including the State of Hawaii to End the Super Delegate System in the Democratic National Convention – Rules Committee in July 2016. Sanders and Clinton supporters held an all day debate in Philadelphia on how to end or radically alter the Super Delegate System in the party. At the end of the day, they reached a compromise to create a Unity Commission to study the issue over the course of 2017 and make recommendations. Many Sanders supporters became extremely disheartened. The voter turnout in the State of Hawaii for the Primary in August 2016 was one of the lowest in our Democratic State in history—despite the hot national drama playing out between Clinton and Trump.
So it is in that context that several us gathered on the morning of Sunday, August 28th, at Shark’s Coffee in Hilo, Hawaii in dismay and frustration, but with steely determination to Change the System. Our group consisted of: Christine Mingo, Donovan Shouse, Anna Brown, Heather Kimball, and County Council Woman Margaret Wille. We were honored to have Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard make a call in from Honolulu that Sunday morning, to give us fifteen minutes of her time. Since then our group has expanded to the following Partners, and we can guarantee you that we shall keep growing. We are beginning to get Partners from other states joining us, as well. See Partners page.
HILO MAKE VOTING MATTER FOUNDERS:
- Christine Mingo – Instigator, (Office Manager, Dem D1 Precinct 6 Vice-President) Papaikou, HI
- Anna Brown – Social Media, (Restaurant Manager, Dem D1 Treasurer, P5 President) Hilo, HI
- Donovan Shouse – Events, (Forum Moderator, Fitness and Massage, Dem State Delegate 2016) Hilo, HI
- Sharon Emery (Teacher) Orchid Land, HI
- Laura Garrison (Artist) Hilo, HI and MA
- Elizabeth Jenkins (Writer) Hilo, HI
- Roxanne Lawson (Activist) Pahoa, HI
- Andrea Minor (Adventure Tour Director) Papaikou, HI
- Janet Simalinog, Hilo, HI and ID
- Malia True (Retired) Pepeekeo, HI
- Jerry Warren (Real Estate Appraiser) Hilo, HI
- Margaret Wille (County Councilwoman) Waimea (Kamuela), HI
- Jonathan Wong (Candidate for State House) Hilo, HI
- Lynne and Iain Young (Retired) Hilo, HI
