Hawaii County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi got a swift response to her letter to Governor Neil Abercrombie Monday morning, asking that he initiate an independent review of the Hawaii State Office of Elections and have the Lieutenant Governor’s office take over the function of State Elections for the General Election in November, 2012. Within hours, Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz responded, saying his office by law has no jurisdiction over State elections.
Kawauchi sent the letter to Governor Abercrombie at the same time she issued her report about the Primary Election in Hawaii County, at 6:32 a.m. Monday. (http://www.bigislandnewscenter.com/councils-elections-review-results-no-action/)
The media release sent by the Lt. Governor’s office at 1:20 p.m. Monday:
“Right now is a time to focus on ensuring that the November 6 General Election comes off without a hitch statewide, with a particular focus on Hawai`i county. The Administration will make certain that the Office of Elections and the County Clerk work together to execute a well-run election. The law does not give my office jurisdiction or control over the election process. If Ms. Kawauchi or anyone else believes that the law should change, the appropriate time to address this issue is in the 2013 legislative session. Now is not the time for blame-shifting. Now is the time to focus on solving the problem at hand.”
