Six days ago, GMO Initiative organizers got word that the county had disqualified so many signatures (for being "illegible", not having the exact and complete registered address and for not being registered to vote) that they needed 3,745 more to qualify for the ballot.
Although organizers have 20 days to submit more signatures, they needed to get the required number in by today in order for the initiative to get on this November's ballot.
Today they turned in over 9,200 more signatures. The photo below shows one of the five initiative organizers, Alika Atay, turning in the signatures.
Photo Credit: Christine Andrews
Given the 48% valid rate of the first batch, this should supply well over the number needed to boost valid signatures above the never-before-achieved bar to qualifying a citizen initiative in Maui County.
Maui County now has 10 days to validate the additional signatures. If organizers meet the threshhold of valid signatures, the initiative goes to the County Council.
The Maui County Councilcan pass it into ordinance if they so choose. The sound of laughter as you read that sentence is an indication of the almost complete bought-out status of the County Council. That scenario seems very unlikely.
Next the initiative goes to the state to be placed on the November ballot.