Don’t Forget to Vote

By Catherine Cluett Pactol

Are you registered to vote? If you answered yes, you should have already received your ballot in the mail and don’t forget to mail it back! If you answered no… you still can!

While July 9 was widely published as the deadline to register for voting in the Primary Election, you can visit Molokai’s Voting Service Center at Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room to register and vote on the spot, until Election Day on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

While Hawaii has switched to an all-mail voting system this year, you can still vote in-person if you’d prefer. The Voting Service Center is currently open, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Aug. 7, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8.

If you made a mistake on your mail-in ballot or would like to change your mind on a candidate, the Office of Elections warns you not to use whiteout on your ballot but instead request a new one or visit your Voting Service Center.

No traditional polling places will be open this year on Election Day. But if you’d rather not mail in your ballot or if you miss the postmark deadline of at least three to five days before Election Day (Aug. 8), you can just walk in to the Voting Service Center to cast your ballot. Ballots received after Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. — by mail or in person — will not be counted.

With many local and national issues at stake this year, make your voice heard by electing the representation you feel best aligns with your priorities and values. Also vote to support your own community members, with five Molokai residents on this year’s Primary Election ballot.

For voter registration info, questions or to request a replacement ballot, visit the staff at Molokai’s Voting Service Center at the Mitchell Pauole Cenference Room, call the County of Maui Elections Division at (808) 270-7749, or visit elections.hawaii.gov for more information.