Ahead of the elections, we send questionnaires to candidates running for local and state office. These responses have been provided by the candidates. The ACLU is non-partisan. We do not endorse candidates, and these responses are for voter education only.
Hawai‘i State Senate and State House Candidates
In early June, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i ("ACLU of Hawai‘i") sent a questionnaire to the 160 candidates running for Hawai‘i State Senate and State House in 2020. We crafted this questionnaire to highlight key civil rights and civil liberties issues affecting the people of Hawai‘i and to allow voters to make informed decisions about who represents them at the Legislature. Topics include privacy and technology, criminal legal reform, policing, education justice, houselessness, and the criminalization of poverty. Review our 2020 Lawmaker Questionnaire here.
Mayoral Candidates
In September, the ACLU of Hawai‘i sent a questionnaire to the two candidates running for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, as well as the two candidates running for Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i in the 2020 general election. We crafted this questionnaire to highlight key civil rights and civil liberties issues affecting the people of Hawai‘i, and to allow voters to make informed decisions. Review our 2020 Mayoral Candidate Survey here.
Prosecutorial Candidates
Prosecutorial reform means fundamentally altering the incentives that drive prosecutors. It means supporting reform-minded prosecutors committed to reducing incarceration and prioritizing alternatives that are more effective at preventing future crime and improving community health. This year Honolulu and Hawai‘i Island will be electing a new prosecutor. We sent a questionnaire to all candidates for county prosecutor, asking them where they stand on various criminal justice reform issues. Review our 2020 Prosecutoral Candidate Questionnaire here.