Last chance to vote

LIHU‘E — As of Monday afternoon, more than 62% of Kaua‘i registered voters have cast their ballots in the 2020 General Election, and there’s more expected to come in today.

Walk-in voting at the Office of the County Clerk Elections Division Voter Service Center in the Pi’ikoi Building in Lihu‘e will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Paper mail ballots can be dropped off at the county Elections Office next to the Historic County Building in Lihu‘e, at the Pi’ikoi Building Voter Service Center or at one of the county’s ballot collection boxes at a neighborhood center or fire station. These boxes will be open until 7 p.m.

According to the U.S. Elections Project, as of Nov. 2, about 97.9 million people have voted early, with over 35 million in-person and 63 million mailed. Across the state, there are about 832,00 registered voters. The 2016 General Election saw about 58.4% of 749,917 state registered voters represented.

On Kaua‘i, there are about 47,253 registered voters. Monday afternoon, the Office of Elections reported more than 29,544 ballots recorded moves, 28,052 scanned and 1,492 voted in-person.

The 2020 General Election ballot includes the federal presidential race between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, as well as the U.S. Representative for District II, being left vacant by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

State contests include state representatives in District 14 between Rep. Nadine Nakamura (D) and Steve Monas (R); District 15 between Rep. James Tokioka (D) and Steve Yoder (R); and District 16 between Rep. Dee Morikawa and Ana Mo Des (R). The ballot also includes races for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Incumbent state Sen. Ron Kouchi of District 8 won reelection during the primary.

County-side, residents will be voting a new slate of seven Kaua‘i County Council members. Incumbent runners include Mason Chock, Felicia Cowden, Luke Evslin, Arryl Kaneshiro and KipuKai Kuali‘i. Residents will also be weighing in on six charter amendments, ranging from the time limit for negligence claims against the county to ethics disclosures of county employees to qualifications of the water board manager and county engineer.

County of Kaua‘i Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar secured his election during the primary in August as the sole runner in that race.

Residents at least 18 years old are able to register today, too, at the Voter Service Center to complete an affidavit where a state driver’s license number, state identification number, or social security number.

County offices will be closed today, as well as all refuse transfer stations, all HI5 Recycling locations and the Kekaha Landfill will be closed. The Waimea and Kapa‘a swimming pools are also closed.

Residential refuse pickup will continue on its normal schedule with the exception of following areas: the Pua Loke Subdivision, Ulu Mahi Subdivision, Ulu Ko Subdivision, and the Lihue Town Estates which will experience delays. The Puhi Metals Recycling Center will be open. The Kaua‘i Bus will operate on its current daily schedule.

The Pi’ikoi Building is located inside of the Lihu‘e Civic Center at 4444 Rice St.