Abercrombie Vacancy to be Filled in First State-Run Mail Election

File Photo of Neil Abercrombie by Wendy Osher.

Candidates seeking to fill the vacancy created by Neil Abercrombie in Congress, can begin filing nomination papers starting tomorrow, March 3, 2010.  Abercrombie served 19 years in the Congress before stepping down Sunday so that he could dedicate his efforts to a full-time run for Governor of Hawaii.

The vacancy election will be the first state-run election conducted by mail.  The City and County of Honolulu ran two all-mail elections last year to fill council vacancies.

The special election for the 1st Congressional District vacancy will be held Saturday, May 22, 2010.  The last day to file papers as a candidate is two weeks away at 4:30 p.m. on March 17^th, 2010.

All registered voters in the Congressional District will be sent a ballot in early May.  Voted ballots must be received by the Office of Elections by 6 p.m. on May 22, 2010 to be counted.  Results will be issued later that evening on the election office’s website.

Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a resident of the state of Hawaii, and a U.S. citizen at least seven years prior to the election.  Nomination papers do not require voter signatures.  There is also a $75 filing fee.

Other important dates:

• Deadline to register to vote:  April 22, 2010
• Walk-in Voting:  may 10-20, 2010 at Honolulu Hale
• Last day to request an absentee ballot:  May 15, 2010

For more information, visit the Office of Elections website at www.hawaii.gov/elections.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information provided courtesy State Office of Elections)

March 18: Neil Abercrombie Joins South Maui Sustainability for “Advocacy in Action” Series

WHAT:   Gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie kicks off a special SMS “Advocacy in Action” series in coordination with the South Maui Sustainability advocacy group.  Abercrombie will explain how to redirect funds back into the local economy, preserve resources and build investments in the people and communities in Hawaii.

WHEN:   Thursday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Kihei Charter School, 300 Ohukai Road, Kihei, HI 96753-7045
INFO:   For more information on SMS programs and upcoming events, visit www.southmauisustainability.org.