Smooth Opening at Maui Polling Places

Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Voters and election officials on Maui are reporting a smooth opening of polling places in Maui County.

State Elections Office spokesman Rex Quidilla said all of Maui’s polling places opened on time, and officials had not heard of any problems in Maui County as of 11:15 a.m.

By 9:30 a.m., more than 260 people had cast ballots at Maui Waena Intermediate School in Kahului.

One voter reported that there were three individuals in a row ahead of them, who showed up at Maui Waena, but were told that they were at the wrong polling place. Precinct officials quickly called to resolve the situation and send the residents to their correct polling site.

Because of the redrawing of political districts, which takes place every 10 years, about a third of voters across the state were assigned to different polling places back in August, prior to the primary elections.  There were also some precinct location changes that went into effect prior to the August primary at a half dozen Maui locations.

Voter turnout on Maui was 25,702, or 30.6% of the 84,042 registered voters, during the 2012 primary election–that was the lowest in the state. During the last general election in 2010, Maui’s voter turnout was 42,322, or 49.7%; and during the last presidential election in 2012, the general election turnout for Maui was 52,039, or 61.1%.

Polling places across the state remain open until 6 p.m.  Voters are reminded to bring a photo ID with them to their polling place. To check where your polling place is prior to arrival, voters can do so by accessing the following direct LINK.

Live results coverage will be broadcast beginning at 5:30 p.m. on television at MC-TV channel 55, on the radio at KNUI AM 900, and online at MauiNow.com.