madelyn died in hawaii, on november 2, 2008. it was two days before the presidential election. obama's campaign team announced that she had died "peacefully" after suffering from cancer. at a rally in charlotte, north carolina on november 3, obama said, "she was one of those quiet heroes that we have all across america. they're not famous. their names are not in the newspapers, but each and every day they work hard. they aren't seeking [fame]. all they try to do is just do the right thing." dunham's absentee vote, received by the election office on october 27, was included in hawaii's total vote count.