Mail-in ballot returns in Hawaiʻi are running about 34% behind the 2022 midterm, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports. Fewer than 98,000 ballots had arrived at county election sites by Friday, compared with 118,000 at the same point in 2022.
On Oʻahu, 53,000 ballots had arrived by mail, versus 80,751 in 2022, while drop-box returns rose to 8,300 from 6,174. Honolulu Elections Administrator Rex Quidilla told the paper he is “baffled” by the trend.
Oʻahu voters face 20 charter amendments, and Quidilla expects long lines for in-person voting. Voters can register and vote on Election Day if they are in line by 7 p.m.
What to watch: Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3, so use a drop box or Voter Service Center rather than the mail if you are cutting it close.
Ballots due 7 p.m. Nov. 3; early returns trickle in
Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Maui County’s clerk recommends mailing ballots by Oct. 27, or using an official drop box or Voter Service Center.
Early returns are slow. Maui County had received nearly 12,000 ballots as of Friday out of 117,689 registered voters. Hawaiʻi County had received 20,177 of 112,003 ballots issued as of Thursday.
Maui County voters will decide eight charter amendments, including one to eliminate the Independent Nomination Board created in 2022, and two state constitutional amendments. On Hawaiʻi Island, three open County Council seats are on the ballot, in Districts 4, 5 and 6.
What to do: Check that your ballot was received at Hawaii.BallotTrax.net. If you moved or need a replacement, update your address at olvr.hawaii.gov or call your county clerk.
