Polls close statewide as Hawaii awaits results from several key races in 2024 primary election
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Polls have closed statewide as Hawaii awaits results from several key races in the primary election on Saturday.
As of Friday, election officials had received around 230,000 ballots, including mail-in and in-person votes. That’s roughly 30,000 votes fewer than two years ago. But that was a year with a contested governor, lieutenant governor and congressional races.
This is Hawaii’s third election cycle with mail-in option.
Three printouts are expected by the end of the night — and the first one will include about 85% of the votes.
Q&A: Primary Election is this Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know
Here are some key races Hawaii News Now is following:
- Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi faces a handful of candidates in a bid to defend his seat for the next four years.
- On Hawaii Island, several candidates are seeking to unseat Mitch Roth in a crowded race for mayor.
- In District 25 — which covers Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights and Pauoa — House Speaker Scott Saiki faces Kim Coco Iwamoto in a winner-take-all primary.
- The race for state Senate District 23 — including Kaneohe, Kahaluu through Laie, Kahuku to Mokuleia, Schofield Barracks and Kunia Camp — is heating up with two Democratic candidates hoping to clinch a primary election win: Former Democratic state Sen. Clayton Hee and community advocate and veteran Ben Shafer.
- In Makakilo, Republican State Rep. Kanani Souza’s challenger Sheila Medeiros is endorsed by the other house Republicans with no Democrat in the race.
- South Maui Councilman Tom Cook is being challenged by Kelly King, who gave up the seat to run for mayor in the last election.
Be sure to catch Hawaii News Now’s in-depth Primary Election coverage with crews statewide starting at 7 p.m. on KGMB and K5 and across our digital platforms.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
