The state Office of Elections is warning Hawaii voters to double-check their polling places for this fall's elections because those sites may have changed. Voters warned to review
changes in polling placesSome will report to a new polling
site due to reapportionmentBy Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.comBecause of reapportionment of political districts every 10 years, the office estimates about 160,000 or 30 percent of Hawaii's active voters will be voting in a different polling place than in the 2000 elections.
Chief elections officer Dwayne Yoshina said because of population shifts and changes to district lines, voter assignments to polling places have changed and voters should note them.
"Voters must note the polling place on their yellow voter cards to avoid being inconvenienced on election day," he said.
The card, which is the official notice of voter registration and address confirmation card, includes a voter's 2002 polling place and voting districts. Residents should check the card to ensure the personal information is correct. If not, they should send the mail-in portion of the card to update and correct their voter registration information.
Yoshina said if voters do not update their information, they will experience delays at the polls on election day. Incorrect voter registration is the primary cause of delays at the polls.
The bulk of the yellow voter cards should arrive in Hawaii homes this week. Voters who do not receive their card by mid-July should call their respective county clerk.
Yoshina said the changes to the polling places are a result of reapportionment and because some facilities will not be available. He said 26 sites on Hawaii, Maui and Oahu that were used in 2000 will not be available this year.
State of Hawaii
