LIHUE — With stormy weather bearing down, the county Elections Division urged registered voters to take advantage of a final early voting opportunity Thursday. They listened. The Historic County Annex Building was a buzz as voters of all ages piled
LIHUE — With stormy weather bearing down, the county Elections Division urged registered voters to take advantage of a final early voting opportunity Thursday.
They listened.
The Historic County Annex Building was a buzz as voters of all ages piled in to avoid the forecasted wet weather this weekend.
County Elections Administrator Lyndon Yoshioka said 3,763 people walked in to vote. Another 7,111 mail-in absentee ballots were processed as of Thursday.
Gaylord and Susan Fukumoto, of Lihue, said this is the first time they voted early and it was directly related to the expected weather.
“It was because of the storm,” Gaylord said. “We don’t want to be caught in the rain.”
Susan said she considers voting to be an important civic duty. The county council and legislative contests are very important this year and every vote counts.
“We don’t want to miss this opportunity and privilege,” Susan said. “Our forefathers fought the Revolutionary War so that we could vote.”
Leroy Wadahara, of Lihue, said he is an avid voter and interested in all the races — from the Kauai County Council all the way up to the governor.
“We shouldn’t take it for granted,” he said of voting. “It’s a privilege.”
Colorado native Susannah Cyrus moved to the island two years ago and said this is her first time voting in a Hawaii election.
“I’m excited about that,” she said. “And I’m really hoping that Dustin Barca can go all the way. He’s a big reason I came out.”
“It just feels good,” she said as she exited the building from casting her vote.
Polls are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
