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POSTED: Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Light, intermittent rain didn't deter voters from lining up at polling places across the state today to express their choices on candidates and issues.

  “;It's a right we shouldn't take for granted,”; said Bobby Hastings, 42, one of the first of about 90 voters waiting for the polls to open at 7 a.m. at Koko Head Elementary School.

 

  Edward Lee, a precinct official at the school, said it was the longest line he had seen in five elections.

A machine was reported down at Waipahu High School, which interrupted early morning voting, and troubleshooters were dispatched to replace it, said Rex Quidilla, Office of Elections spokesman.

Otherwise, he said, “;It was going quite well this morning. We had no reports of polling places not opening on time. It was great news for us.”; In the primary election, some polls opened late because workers didn't show up.

Some polling places were short-staffed today, but people were moved around from other places that had more workers, Quidilla said. “;The key is we did not have any instances where leadership positions were vacant.”;

  First-time poll worker Mabel Suzuki was among about 40 people attending the last poll worker training class at Lehua Elementary School Saturday.

“;I hear it's going to be a big election and they need all the help they can get,”; Suzuki said, explaining friends asked her to sign up. “;It's been an exciting election ... I decided I'll do my civic duty.”;

The elections office had prepared for a turnout of 400,000 voters. “;We have reports that business is brisk,”; Quidilla said early today. “;We expect the same this afternoon as people return home.”;

There was a steady flow of voters at Waimanalo Elementary School this morning, but no long lines. Grace Kaleikilo, a longtime Voter's Assistance Official, said there didn't appear to be any more people voting than in previous presidential and mayoral election years.

About 100 people were waiting in line before polls opened at Kamiloiki Elementary School in Hawaii Kai. Once voting began, the line moved swiftly and smoothly. By 7:30 a.m., there was no line out the door of the cafeteria and spaces were available in the parking lot.

Quidilla said some minor problems were reported but they were expected.

 

  “;We have a troubleshooting team on it. We're providing services to voters in line across the state.”;

While people were eager to vote, they were also eager to see the end of a long, costly election.

“;I am proud to be voting,”; said Lizette Hanaberg, 52, at Koko Head Elementary School. But she added, “;I'll be glad when it's over. It got kind of cruel there in the end — one of the worst we have seen in awhile.”;

Hawaii has 691,356 registered voters. In the last presidential election, 431,662 people voted — about 66.7 percent of registered voters. About 30 percent voted absentee.

Elections officials expect roughly 163,000 to 174,000 people to vote absentee this year, depending how many return mail-in ballots by 6 p.m. today. If the pattern holds true, roughly one-third of voters vote early, Quidilla said.

Chief Election Officer Kevin Cronin, as well as Republican and Democratic Party leaders, expected a high voter turnout today.

“;I believe the high voter turnout will favor McCain, based on character,”; said Willes Lee, chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party.

Andy Winer, state director of the Obama campaign, said he's hoping a high turnout will expand the margin of victory for Obama, who could be the first U.S. president born in Hawaii.

“;We have an internal goal here of trying to have the largest percentage victory of any state,”; Winer said.

The first printout isn't released until all polling places are closed, which should be sometime between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Those still in line at 6 p.m., when the polls officially close, will be able to vote.

The first results will consist of absentee walk-in votes and most mail-in ballots received before today.

 

General Election Turnout in Hawaii

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

	Turnout	%	Registered voters
2006	348,988	53%	662,728
2004	431,662	67%	647,238
2002	385,462	57%	676,242
2000	371,033	58%	637,349
1998	412,520	69%	601,404
1996	370,230	68%	544,916