There’s still time to submit your ballot as early voting numbers indicate low Primary turnout
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Early voting in Hawaii is off to a sluggish start.
As Primary Election night approaches on Aug. 10, the number of ballots received is on the lower end, and officials hope residents will turn them in over the coming days.
As of Aug. 5, Honolulu election officials say roughly 106,259 people have already turned in their ballots.
With roughly about 7,000 to 9,000 ballots incoming a day, that’s on track to be lower than 2020, where the primary saw a 52% turnout on Oahu, or about 275,000 voters.
City Clerk Glen Takahashi said, “The numbers dont look particularly promising. We’re not going to break any voter turnout records in this primary election. But again its not too late so if you have that mail ballot packet on your countertop, take it out and use it.”
HNN Political analyst Colin Moore says Hawaii’s low voter turnout is not uncommon – and is likely driven in this primary by a lack of highly contested races.
“With the exception of Hawaii Island, there aren’t really any major top of the ticket races this time, where there’s really competitive races where candidates are investing a lot of money. But I expect voter turnout to be significantly lower,” Moore said.
The race for Hawaii County mayor is one garnering greater attention, but numbers statewide will remain low.
Moore says overall, turnout could be a different picture come November for the General Election.
“Turnout is always higher for the presidential election. I’m not sure we’re gonna see the levels we got in 2020, but it will be high because everyone, or people for the most part, really want to cast their vote for president,” Moore said.
Hawaii is a mail-in voting state, however voter service centers are open now until election night for those who need assistance.
On Oahu, centers are located at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There’s also a pop-up center this week at Wahiawa District Park from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more locations statewide and additional information, click here.
All mailed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. election night. If you’re at a voter service center on Saturday, you must be in line by 7 p.m. in order to cast your vote.
Officials encourage everyone to get their votes in early. Waiting to the last minute and voting in person could result in a much longer process.
“Well right now you can get in and out in 5, 10 minutes. On the last day you know, it could be perhaps an hour if there’s a line so you know, it’s the voter’s choice,” Takahashi added.
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