Hawaii County Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto says that as of Friday around 4 p.m., out of 127,493 registered voters in the county, the number of ballots already returned is 77,613. In the Primary Election in August, a total of 65,034 people voted. Nakamoto said that 2,506 people have voted at the Voter Service Centers in Kona and Hilo, but the majority of ballots have come in via the Ballot Drop Boxes or U.S. Mail.
The State Legislature voted two years ago to have Hawaii vote by mail rather than in person, well before COVID-19, which has forced many states to have to implement voting by mail to keep people safe.
Election day is Tuesday, and all ballots must be in by 7 p.m. Postmarks do not count–the ballots must be physically in by that time. The USPS advised people to mail their ballots by last Tuesday, Oct. 27. Now, the best way to ensure your ballot is counted is to drop it in one of the 8 Ballot Drop Boxes around the island, which are open 24 hours a day through Tuesday at 7 p.m. The boxes are emptied daily and are strong and secure.
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
If you do plan to drop your ballot in the mail, do so today at a Post Office, rather than putting it in your mailbox for carrier pickup.
There are two Voter Service Centers, one at West Hawaii Civic Center in the Community Hale (the makai-most building) and one at the Aupuni Center Conference Room. People may register and vote or drop off their ballot today or Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
In addition to the national races, including the hotly-contested Presidential race, there are a number of important local races:
- U.S. Representative
- Hawaii County Mayor
- County Council District 1, Hamakua
- County Council District 5, Puna
There are also 16 Charter Amendments on the ballot. To hear a discussion about pros and cons of the amendments with members of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, click here.
