The deadline to register to vote in this year’s first election, the Primary Election on Saturday, August 11, is this Thursday, July 12. Applications must be turned in to the County Elections offices in either Hilo or Kona by Thursday at 4:30 p.m. or if mailed, they must be postmarked no later than July 12.
The Primary on August 11 is critically important in Hawaii County. The nonpartisan races can be decided in the Primary, and that includes the Hawaii County Mayor, the County Prosecutor, and all nine County Council races. If no candidate in a race gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote getters will advance to the General Election on Tuesday, November 6. For the partisan races–U. S. Senate, U. S. House, State Senate, State House–the Primary will determine which member of each political party advances to the General Election.
The County Clerk will have Voter Registration Drives here on the island this week:
• Wednesday, July 11th (today) at Kmart in Kona from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 11th (today) at Bayfront in Hilo (parking lot, across Old Iron Works) from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 11th (today) at Malama Market in Pahoa (parking lot area) from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 12th at Kmart in Kona from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 12th at Bayfront in Hilo (parking lot, across Old Iron Works) from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 12th at Malama Market in Pahoa (parking lot area) from 9:00 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.
Voter registration forms are available here on Hawaii Island at the following locations:
- Elections Division – Hilo. Hawai‘i County Building; 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Ste. 1502.
- Elections Division – Kona. West Hawai‘i Civic Center; 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg. B., Kona.
- Office of the County Clerk-Council – Hilo. 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Ste. 1402.
- West Hawai‘i Council District Offices. West Hawai‘i Civic Center; 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg. A, Kona.
- Kona Mayor’s Office. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg. C, 2nd Floor.
- Kona Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg. C, 1st. Floor.
- Kailua Fire Station. 74-5537 Palani Rd., Kona.
- Captain Cook Fire Station. 82-6120 Mamalahoa Highway.
- Hilo Police Station. 349 Kapiolani St., Hilo.
- Honoka‘a Police Station. 45-3400 Mamani St., Honoka‘a.
- Kea‘au Police Station. 16-200 Pilimua St., Kea‘au.
- Kohala Police Station. 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway, Kohala.
- Kona Police Station. 74-5488 Kuakini Highway. Kona.
- Laupahoehoe Police Station. 36-2283 Puualaea Homestead Rd., Laupahoehoe.
- Na‘alehu Police Station. 95-5353 Mamalahoa Highway, Na‘alehu.
- Waimea Police Station. 67-5185 Kamamalu St., Waimea.
- Ainaloa Longhouse. 16-303 Ainaloa Blvd.
- Hawaiian Paradise Park Owner’s Assn. 15-1570 Makuu Drive.
- Pahala Library. 96-3150 Pikake St., Pahala.
- Finance Factors. 74-6831 Alii Drive, Kona.
- Waikoloa Land Company. 150 WAikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa.
- Waimea Instant Printing. 65-1206 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea.
- Honoka‘a Hospital. 45-547 Plumeria St., Honoka‘a.
Forms are also available at the U.S. Post Offices, public libraries, in the Yellow Pages, and online at the Office of Elections website: www.hawaii.gov/elections
You must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Hawaii and at least 18 years old to vote.
Currently registered voters that have changed their name or moved since the last election should re-register before the voter registration deadline.
Voters may also apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail for this election or permanently. Walk in voting begins July 30 and goes through August 9, which means registered voters may vote early at several locations around the island.
