Voters have until 7 p.m. today to return their ballots, OR to register and vote in person at the two Voter Service Centers at West Hawaii Civic Center and Aupuni Center Conference Room.
Voting at West Hawaii Civic Center was brisk, according to volunteer Rebecca Madden, who was at the door greeting those wanting to register and vote, or who had already registered and wanted to vote in person. There was also a ballot box so people bringing ballots could drop in their ballot envelope.
Madden said at 1:p.m. that the line had been steady since the doors opened at 7 a.m.. She also noted that there had been no problems, and that people w,034 ere patient as they waited in line to get registration forms or in line to actually go in and vote. Some were socializing–some were looking at their phones. Voters have already turned in more than 77,000 ballots…well above the 65,034 people who voted in the 2020 Primary.
Voters may also deposit their ballots in any one of 8 Ballot Drop Boxes around the island, and the deadline for the Ballot Drop Boxes is also 7 p.m.
The Ballot Drop Boxes are located at:
- West Hawaii Civic Center by the DMV
- Yano Hall in Captain Cook
- Police Station in Na’alehu
- Police Station in Pahoa
- Hilo County Building
- Police Station in Laupahoehoe
- Police Station in Waimea
- Police Station in North Kohala in Kapa’au
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii’s Legislature voted to have Hawaii vote by mail. This is the first year of all voting by mail, with the August 8, 2020 Primary being the very first time everybody in the state voted by mail, or dropped their ballots in the Ballot Drop Boxes, or went to one of the two Voter Service Centers.
Photo is Election volunteer Rebecca Madden at West Hawaii Civic Center. Click on image to enlarge.