The following Resolution was just adopted by the Hawaii State Democratic Convention:
Elimination of “Super Delegates” From the Process of Selecting the Democratic Nominee for President
WHEREAS, on March 26, Hawaii’s Democratic voters turned out in massive numbers, voting 70% to 30% for Senator Bernie Sanders over Secretary Hillary Clinton, and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States, particularly among young people, and
WHEREAS, the Sanders campaign drew support from many previously alienated voters, and
WHEREAS, Hawaii has ten super delegates, who have the power to override the will of Hawaii’s Democratic voters and violate the core principle of One Person, One Vote, and
WHEREAS, this action by the super delegates is likely to discourage participation by voters in future caucuses who see their votes being set aside so easily by party insiders; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the Democratic Party of Hawaii urges our senior elected officials and party officers to cast their ballots to reflect the vote of Hawaii’s caucus voters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Democratic Party of Hawaii calls upon the Democratic National Committee to change its Rules to discontinue the use of super delegates, starting with the 2020 national convention, instead allocating all future delegates in proportion to the popular vote in the various state Presidential Preference Polls, Primary Elections or Caucuses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be sent to the ten Super Delegates of the Democratic Party of Hawaii to the 2016 Democratic National Convention: Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative Mark Takai, National Committeeman Mr. Russell Okata, National Committeewoman Ms. Jadine Nielsen, the State Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii to be newly elected at this Convention, and to the State Vice Chair to be newly elected at the State Central Committee meeting to be held immediately after the close of this Convention; and the entire Democratic National Committee.