Hawaii Sees Early Voting Surge Ahead of General Election Despite Concerns of Low Turnout
Hawaii’s early voting for the upcoming general election on November 5 is showing promising signs, with ballots received already surpassing the dismal turnout observed during the primary election in August. In August, only 32.1% of registered voters cast their ballots, amounting to 269,912 votes—the lowest since statehood in 1959.
As of Monday, officials reported that 226,646 ballots had been returned, indicating a potential increase in voter engagement ahead of the general election. Jon Henricks, clerk for Hawaii County, expressed optimism, noting that 35,000 ballots were returned from the Big Island alone, with more expected as voting continues.
In Oahu, where early voting is also picking up momentum, 155,097 ballots had been received, including 837 from in-person voting. Rex Quidilla, elections administrator for Honolulu, urged voters to avoid waiting until the last minute to submit their ballots, as they must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Maui County is experiencing similar trends, with 24,192 ballots returned, while Kauai County reported 12,537. Despite the early enthusiasm, election officials are cautious about whether turnout will approach the record-setting 579,000 ballots cast in the 2020 election.
To address language barriers and improve turnout, Hawaii introduced ballot translations in multiple languages for the first time this year. Officials remain hopeful that these measures, alongside outreach efforts, will enhance participation in what is expected to be a significant election year.
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