THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY AND HERE IN HAWAII, EACH COUNTY HAS ITS OWN DIVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO RUN ELECTIONS.

TONIGHT WE BRING TOGETHER THE LEADERS OF EACH OF THESE DIVISIONS TO TALK ABOUT THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THE JOB BRINGS, PLUS WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW.

THAT’S COMING UP ON INSIGHTS.

WITH LESS THAN TWO MONTHS UNTIL HAWAII’S PRIMARY ELECTION, COUNTY ELECTIONS DIVISIONS ARE GETTING READY FOR THE BIG DAY.

FROM SENDING OUT BALLOTS TO SECURING THEM FOR COUNTING, WE FIND OUT HOW THE COUNTIES OF HAWAII HANDLE ELECTIONS.

DOES IT DIFFER FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND?

PLUS MORE ON WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW – FROM REGISTRATION, TO OPTIONS FOR IN PERSON VOTING TO WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE LOST OR DAMAGED YOUR BALLOT.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M LAUREN DAY.

THE 2024 ELECTION SEASON IS UNDERWAY AND FOR MANY PEOPLE THEIR ATTENTION ISN’T JUST ON THE CANDIDATES THIS YEAR.

MANY EYES WILL BE TURNED TO THE ELECTION PROCESS ITSELF.

TONIGHT WE HAVE THE FOUR COUNTY CLERKS JOINING US TO EXPLAIN HOW EACH COUNTY HANDLES ELECTIONS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

JON HENRICKS WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HILO AND WAS APPOINTED HAWAII COUNTY CLERK IN 2018.

FROM 2008 TO 2014, HE ASSISTED THE ELECTIONS DIVISION OF THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, PROVIDING TRAINING TO PRECINCT OFFICIALS AND PERFORMING TROUBLESHOOTING DUTIES ON PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION DAYS.

GLEN TAKAHASHI IS THE CITY CLERK FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL IN 2015.

GLEN HAS WORKED IN STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SERVICE THAT INCLUDES 16 YEARS AS HONOLULU’S ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

MOANA LUTEY WAS APPOINTED COUNTY CLERK FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI LAST YEAR.

SHE IS A GRADUATE OF LAHAINALUNA HIGH SCHOOL, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY AND THE WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW.

IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING HER APPOINTMENT AS COUNTY CLERK, MOANA SERVED AS CORPORATION COUNSEL UNDER FORMER MAUI COUNTY MAYOR MIKE VICTORINO.

JADE FOUNTAIN TANIGAWA HAS SERVED AS KAUAI COUNTY CLERK SINCE 2015.

SHE IS A GRADUATE OF THE KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS KAPALAMA CAMPUS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS.

SHE RESIDES IN LIHUE WITH HER HUSBAND TROY AND THEIR TWO SONS.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE IN STUDIO.

THIS IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT NIGHT FOR PBS HAWAII.

BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE ALL COUNTY CLERKS ON THE INSIGHTS SHOW.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US START WITH YOU.

YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ROLE OF COUNTY CLERK, WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INTAIL.

>> COUNTY CLERKS ELECTIONS ARE GOOD PART OF OUR DUTIES BUT WE ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OUR RESPECTIVE COUNTY COUNCILS.

WHICH INCLUDES FOR MY OFFICE, ONLY, ANY WAY, CLERICAL SUPPORT, AND THE LIKE.

BUT YEAH, KIND OF SPLIT BETWEEN ELECTIONS COME UP EVERY OTHER YEAR AND COUNTY COUNCILS OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY.

>>Lauren: HOW DOES THE JOB MAYBE JADE YOU CAN CHIME IN HOW DOES YOUR JOB DIFFER ON KAUAI COMPARED TO GLENN'S ROLE.

>> ON KAUAI, WE HAVE, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE PERSONAL STAFF.

SO OUR OFFICE HANDLES BOTH COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

AND IN ADDITION TO ELECTIONS AN RECORDS.

WE KIND OF COVER A LOT MORE AS FAR AS DUTIES.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROLE OF A COUNTY CLERK?

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COUNTY CLERKS ARE APPOINTED BECAUSE OF THEIR ELECTIONS EXPERIENCE.

GLENN HAS VAST ELECTIONS EXPERIENCE.

MY ELECTIONS EXPERIENCE YOU KIND OF RUN THROUGH IN THE BEGINNING WAS TRAINING AND ASSISTING AT TIMES OF ELECTION.

SO I LEARNED I HOPE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS MORE AND MORE ABOUT ELECTION.

START OUT MAYBE AS SUPPORTIVE ROLE REALLY.

MOST OF OUR NOT ALL OF US HAD ELECTION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS DEDICATED CAREER ELECTIONS PEOPLE THAT REALLY RUN OUR ELECTIONS OFFICES THAT WE REALLY RELY ON FOR THE DAY TO DAY AFFAIRS AND EARLY ON IN THIS ROLE, NOT HAVING A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE DAY TO DAY FIRES GO ON THROUGH THE YEAR, DAY TO DAY AFFAIRS SUPPORT THE ROLE IN WHATEVER I CAN BE FACE OF THE OFFICE MOMENTS LIKE THIS OR DURING ELECTIONS TO BE A SPOKESPERSON.

BUT ALSO, TO BE THERE WHEN CERTAIN CHALLENGES ARISE.

AND BE THERE TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE THERE, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AND THEN AS YOU BECOME MORE COMFORTABLE AND MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE, BE ABLE TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN THAT ROLE.

SO I THINK IT'S LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF US QUITE FRANKLY.

AND HOW WE SUPPORT OUR ELECTIONS OFFICES AND HOW WE GO ABOUT DOING THAT.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT SUPPORT.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT FOR MAUI.

>> OUR ROLES ARE VERY SIMILAR TO GLENN DESCRIBED.

>> SUPPORT COUNTY COUNCIL.

KEEP DOCUMENTS.

AND THEN OUR ELECTIONS I MEAN, DIDN'T GET HIRED FOR MY ELECTIONS KNOW HOW.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ACTUALLY BEING IN CHARGE OF ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT STAFF BEEN THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

SUPPORTIVE.

THEY'RE HELPFUL.

I RELY ON ALL THREE OF THE OTHER CLERKS HERE AND THEIR STAFF REGULARLY.

SO THAT IS REALLY WHAT I HOPE IS GOING TO GET US THROUGH A REALLY NICE EFFICIENT AND SUCCESSFUL ELECTION.

THAT'S HELP THE HOPE.

I WAS GO FOR ASK, THAT'S THE HOPE HOW WELL DO YOU GUYS WORK TOGETHER?

COMMUNICATING OFTEN BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES.

>> OH, YEAH.

I THINK I'M THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THIS GROUP AND SO I REGULARLY REACH OUT TO ALL OF THEM.

>> FOR VARIETY OF MATTERS.

NOT JUST ELECTION.

THERE USED TO BE MORE FORMAL ASSOCIATION OF CLERKS THE PAST.

FOR WHATEVER REASONS THIS DIDN'T CARRY THROUGH.

I'VE NOTICED WE MADE EFFORTS TO ESPECIALLY WITH ELECTIONS, TO BRING THE DIFFERENT TEAMS TOGETHER.

PEOPLE TRAVEL, COME AND MEET EACH OTHER AND TALK, AND TALK ABOUT OUR DIFFERENT OPERATIONAL ISSUES.

EVERY ISLAND IS DIFFERENT.

EVERY ISLAND HAS ITS DIFFERENT AND ISLANDS, HAVE THEIR DIFFERENT LOGISTICAL ISSUES.

WE ALL HAVE THINGS IN COMMON.

WHEN ABOUT COME TOGETHER, TALK ABOUT THINGS AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE SOLUTIONS WE'VE HAD.

CHALLENGE WE FACED TYPES OF RESOURCES THAT REALLY WILL HELP US GET THROUGH THOSE MOMENTS.

AND YEAH, WE DEFINITELY HAVE EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIPS.

THERE'S NO COMPETITION WHATSOEVER.

JUST A MATTER OF SHARING WHAT WE KNOW AND EARLY ON, RELIED A LOT ON GLENN.

A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND JUST NITTY GRITTY.

GLENN KNOWS NITTY GRITTY NUT AND BOLTS.

RELIED UPON THAT.

>> WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT NOT JUST FOUR OF US BUT ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS DIVISIONS, MY STAFF, ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, VERY CLOSE WITH THE OTHERS.

CALLING EACH OTHER DAILY.

ESPECIALLY AS WE GET CLOSER AND CLOSER TO BALLOTS GOING OUT, RUBBER HITTING THE ROAD.

A LOT OF COMMUNICATION DAILY BASIS.

TALKING VERY EFFECTIVE.

REALLY COLLABORATIVE.

>> I THINK FOUR OF YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON THIS.

>>Lauren: MAYBE YOU CAN EXPAND.

FOR PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, WHAT DOES THE REAL OF COUNTY CLERK DO WHETHER COMES TO ELECTIONS.

>> >> WELL, THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTIONS, REALLY SPLITS THE ELECTION DUTIES IN TWO PARTS.

DIRECT SERVICES ASPECT WHICH REALLY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTIES TO SERVICE VOTERS.

STATE ELECTIONS OFFICE HANDLE COUNTY OF BALLOTS ON THE BACK END.

SEPARATION.

DO VOTER REGISTRATION.

A LOT OF PROCESSING RELATED DUTIES.

YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN TO OUR SHOP DOWN NEAR THE AIRPORT.

BUT YOU'LL SEE COUPLE OF MAIL SORTS A LOT OF MACHINERY.

NOW EACH OF OUR COLLEAGUES OVER HERE HAVE IN THEIR SHOPS AS WELL.

SO YEAH, THAT'S THE PERHAPS THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCE IN ELECTION RESPONSIBILITIES.

BETWEEN COUNTY AND STATE.

>>Lauren: I DO WANT TO GET INTO KIND OF THE DETAILS 411 PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW.

FOR VIEWERS WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF ELECTION SEASON.

ONE TOPIC THAT I THINK IS TALK ABOUT A LOT ACROSS THE COUNTRY WOULD BE ELECTIONS SECURITY.

HOW SECURE ARE OUR ELECTIONS?

MAYBE I'LL POSE THIS QUESTION TO ALL OF FOUR OF YOU.

YOU CAN CHIME IN.

HOW SECURE ARE OUR ELECTIONS STATE OF HAWAII.

>> VERY CONFIDENT.

STARTS WITH PRODUCTS AND IT STARTS WITH OUR VENDORS MAKING SURE THEY RUN THROUGH THE GAMUT FEDERAL CERTIFICATIONS EVERYTHING FROM THE BALLOTS, UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS ON THEM ALSO NOT TRACED BACK TO THE VOTER WHICH IS CRITICAL.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BALLOT IS CONNECTED TO THEM.

NOT ABOUT SECRECY.

ABOUT OUR VENDORS WE WORK WITH AND CONTRACT WITH.

AND PROVIDING PRODUCTS THAT GUARANTEE THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.

THAT WE WORK WITH.

WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY AND THEM, UNDERSTANDING HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

AND PROTECTING THE PROCESS AND PROTECTING EACH PERSON'S VOTE.

AND THEN JUST MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.

THAT'S REQUIRED.

I THINK IT ALL STARTS WITH RESPECT.

JUST STARTS WITH RESPECTED FOR DEMOCRACY RESPECTED FOR THE PROCESS, UNDERSTANDING HOW IMPORTANT ELECTIONS ARE.

BUT AGAIN, KEY PART OF THAT IS OUR VENDORS AND AGAIN, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, IT'S AGAIN, FEDERALLY CERTIFIED.

THEY RUN THROUGH A GAMUT OF TESTING AND DIFFERENT WE ALSO GO THROUGH TESTING.

AS ELECTIONS NEAR GET CLOSER.

AND VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PROCESS TOO, COMES TO SECURITY AND TRANSPARENCY, IS THAT THERE IS VOLUNTEERS FROM DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES THAT COME AND INTEGRATED INTO TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW SECURE THE PROCESS IS.

AND HOW ACCURATE EVERYTHING IS.

THAT'S CRITICAL COMPONENT.

ALWAYS WAS EVEN BEFORE IN THE POLLING PLACE MODEL MORE SO.

CONTINUE NOW ELECTIONS BY MAIL VOLUNTEERS, OBSERVERS AND PEOPLE THAT COME AND ASSIST ARE CRITICAL TO THAT COMPONENT TOO TO ENSURE IT'S NOT JUST A BUREAUCRACY.

COMMUNITY THAT RUNS ELECTIONS.

>>Lauren: SOMEONE COMES TO YOU ON KAUAI AND ASKS, HOW SAFE ARE OUR ELECTIONS?

CAN I TRUST THAT MY VOTE IS GOING TO COUNT?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS VERY SECURE.

I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT AS DOES JOHN AND REST OF THE CLERKS HERE.

IT IS VERY SECURE PROCESS AND WE REALLY TAKE PRIDE IN THAT.

>>Lauren: YOU MENTIONED VOLUNTEERS.

I WAS GOING TO GET TO THIS A LITTLE BIT LATER.

MICHELLE FROM MAUI ACTUALLY EMAILED IN, ASKING A QUESTION ABOUT THERE.

HOW DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT ELECTION TIME AND WHAT IS THE PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO VOLUNTEER.

>> PRETTY WELL COORDINATED ACTUALLY WHERE WE REACH OUT TO THE STATE DOES TOO, POLITICAL PARTIES EARLY ON.

THERE'S A CALENDAR.

SCHEDULING OF EVENTS TO FIND OUT WHO THEY LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND WHAT CAPACITY.

ANYBODY IS INTERESTED, NOT PART OF ANY ORGANIZATION, THEY CAN ALWAYS JUST CALL OUR OFFICES FOR US.

808961 8277.

COME DOWN TO OUR OFFICE.

CALL THE CLERKS' OFFICE.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME ENGAGED.

IT'S VERY DIFFERENT NOW.

OBVIOUSLY THAN POLLING PLACE MODEL AS FAR AS CAPACITY AND HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO COME AND ASSIST.

THE NUMBERS AREN'T AS HIGH.

CERTAINLY QUALITY PEOPLE.

FOR ENSURE THAT AGAIN, IT'S A COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROCESS.

NOT JUST A BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS.

SO IT'S THERE ARE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT AND FORMED OVER YEARS.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME PEOPLE I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE HEALTHY.

GREAT TO HAVE PEOPLE COME BACK WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE AND THAT TRUST THAT WE BUILT, ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE NEW PEOPLE COME AND WE'VE EXPERIENCED THAT.

SO IT'S COMBINATION OF BUILT RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE YEARS, THAT PEOPLE COME AND ASSIST IN THEIR CAPACITY, THEIR NOT PAID IN ANY WAY.

PURELY THEIR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND LOVE OF COUNTRY.

LOVE OF PROCESS AND AGAIN, GET NEW PEOPLE EVERY YEAR TOO THAT SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME BACK.

IT'S NOT EASY.

>> I'LL PUT THAT OUT THERE.

ONES THAT COME BACK, THEY HAVE A LOT OF TENACITY AND THEY'RE VERY HAVE A LOT OF RESILIENCY CAN BE VERY LONG DAYS.

AND MOST JOBS ARE THANKLESS JOBS.

HARDLY ANYTHING SAYS THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

PRETTY GOOD DESCRIPTOR.

COMBINATION OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN COMING FOR YEARS TO PARTICIPATE AND THEN NEW PEOPLE TOO.

KIND OF WE DO NEED PEOPLE FROM YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO SHOW UP TOO.

BECAUSE AS TIME GOES BY, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO COME ON AND KEEP THAT PROCESS GOING.

>>Lauren: THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE THREE OF YOU TALK ABOUT?

MAYBE HOW TO GET YOUNGER GENERATION INVOLVED IN THE ELECTION PROCESS?

WHETHER IT BE BY VOLUNTEERING?

>> WE'VE GONE TO OUR COMMUNITY, WELL, NOW IT'S U.H.

COLLEGE.

>> GONE THERE.

TABLES OUT THERE.

WE ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

GOT A WEB PAGE.

MAUI COUNTY VOTES.COM.

JUST REALLY TRYING TO PULL PEOPLE IN.

AND HOPEFULLY GET SOME INTEREST.

REACHED OUT TO SOME OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED.

I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THEM INVOLVED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

>>Lauren: I DO WANT TO GET TO THE 411 VIEWERS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS TO MY MAIL IN BALLOT.

HOW IS IT COUNTED?

DIFFERENT STEPS.

MAYBE YOU CAN RUN US THROUGH THAT.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY BALLOT AFTER I DROP IT OFF AND HOW SECURE ARE THOSE BALLOT DROP OFF?

>> SURE.

WELL, FIRST THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE BALLOTS GO OUT SO THAT THEY'RE ARRIVE IN HOMES ROUGHLY 18 DAYS BEFORE ELECTION.

VOTERS VOTE THOSE BALLOTS, RETURN IT TO US IN THESE ENVELOPES SPECIFIC FOR THE ELECTION.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EACH OF OUR OFFICES DON'T OPEN THESE ENVELOPESES.

WE CATALOG THEM.

IN RECORD THE ENVELOPE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BUT WE DON'T CUT THEM OPEN AND LOOK AT PEOPLE'S BALLOTS OR HOW THEY VOTED.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THOSE ENVELOPES WILL COME AND THEY'LL GO THROUGH OUR RESPECTIVE MAIL SORTING MACHINES.

WHICH WILL CAPTURE IMAGES, OF EACH OF THE ENVELOPES.

CAPTURING SIGNATURE IMAGES.

SOME MACHINE READABLE BAR CODE INFORMATION.

TO HELP US GO THROUGH OUR PROCESS OF RECORDING THAT.

IN FACT, SO AND SO BALLOT HAS COME BACK IN AND WE GO THROUGH A SIGNATURE CHECK WHERE WE DO A COMPARISON OF THE SIGNATURE ON THAT ENVELOPE WITH A REFERENCE IMAGE THAT WE HAVE ON FILE.

THAT IS THE AUTHENTICATION PORTION OF THE PROCESS.

ONCE THAT IS ALL TAKEN CARE OF AND SQUARED AWAY, THESE ENVELOPES AND WE LITERALLY HAVE IN OUR CASE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE.

THEY'RE SECURED IN CAGES AND APPROPRIATE TIME, THE CUSTODY OF THESE BALLOTS ARE TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE STATE.

AND THEN THEY TAKE IT FROM THERE AND ACTUALLY GO AND START BURSTING THE CONTENTS.

>>Lauren: TO THAT POINT, THESE ENVELOPES AREN'T EVEN OPEN.

THEY'RE NOT OPEN.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE VOTED WHICH WAY THEY LEAN OR OTHERWISE.

THAT IS PART OF THE SECURITY.

YOU DON'T WANT ONE MONOLITHIC ORGANIZATION TO BE IN CHARGE OF ELECTIONS FROM A TO Z I THINK PERHAPS THAT IS THE WISDOM OF THE WAY HAWAII LAW WAS SET UP.

GIVES COUNTIES CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE STATE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.

>>Lauren: YOU MENTIONED SIGNATURE VERIFICATION PROCESS.

HOW DO YOU KNOW BALLOT SIGNATURE IS NO GOOD OR DAMAGED OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE?

THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

>> WELL, LIKE I MENTIONED, EACH VOTER IS REQUIRED TO SIGN OFF AFFIRMATION STATEMENT ON THE ENVELOPE.

THAT SIGNATURE IS ACTUALLY COMPARED AGAINST REFERENCE IMAGE THAT WE HAVE ON FILE.

PERHAPS FROM THE VOTER'S VOTER REGISTRATION FORM THAT THEY SUBMITTED YEARS AGO OR WHATNOT.

THAT IS HOW AUTHENTICATE SUBMISSION IS IN FACT VALID.

HOW THE VOTE BY MAIL PROCESS WORKS IT'S NOT JUST IN HAWAII BUT ALL THE VOTE BY MAIL STATES.

>>Lauren: WHAT HAPPENS IF VOTE IS OR THE SIGNATURE IS INVALID?

>> IT'S NOT WHERE ONCE A SIGNATURE IS LOOKED AT AND IT'S INVALID, IT'S DONE.

THERE IS A NOTIFYING QUEUE PROCESS.

ABOUT TO REJECT A BALLOT SUBMISSION OR BALLOT ENVELOPE SUBMISSION BECAUSE OF A SIGNATURE ISSUE, WE WILL NOTIFY THE VOTER AND ALLOW THEM TO CURE THAT ISSUE PRIOR TO ANY FINAL DECISION ON THAT.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE SOMETIMES VOTERS SIGNATURES WILL CHANGE OVER THE YEARS.

AS THEY GET OLDER.

WE KNOW AS PEOPLE GET OLDER THEY ENCOUNTER CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES MIGHT AFFECT HOW THEIR SIGNATURE APPEARS.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS THAT SECOND CHANCE TO ACTUALLY CURE THE SIGNATURE DEFICIENCY.

>>Lauren: YOUR OFFICE WOULD REACH OUT?

>> YES.

REACH OUT VIA MAIL.

TO EACH OF THE VOTERS THAT WE SUSPECT SIGNATURE ISSUE.

AND THAT SIGNATURE ISSUE COULD BE MISSING SIGNATURE.

WHERE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SIGN THEIR ENVELOPE.

OR PERHAPS NONMATCHING SIGNATURE.

>>Lauren: ALSO BALLOT TRACK AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT IT ON MAUI COUNTY VOTES.COM OR THE STATE OLVR.

THAT WEBSITE, AND ON THAT YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR BALLOT TRACKS SHE YOUR BALLOT IS.

IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH IT, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATIONS BY EMAIL, PHONE, SET PARAMETERS HOW YOU'RE CONTACTED.

AND HONESTLY THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE YOUR FASTEST METHOD.

>> DO INCLUDE THAT WITH OUR BALLOTS GO OUT LIKE A QR KIND OF CODE THING.

SO PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP FOR THAT BALLOT TRACKS.

ELECTIONS BY MAIL MODEL, RESOURCE BECOME MORE IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE.

I DON'T PERSONALLY USE BALLOT TRACKS.

IT'S IN MY BALLOT.

TAKE IT TO WORK.

HAND IT OFF.

FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S GOOD TO TEST THE SYSTEM.

SOMETIMES.

>> YOU CAN SIGN NOW.

>> I PROBABLY SHOULD TEST THE SYSTEM.

THAT'S A GOOD FEATURE.

I KNOW THAT STATE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO USE BALLOT TRACTION.

DOESN'T COST ANY MORE.

NICE FEATURE TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE WHAT STAGE BALLOT IS.

SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, SIGNATURE ISSUE, NOTIFIED IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO GET SOLVE VIEWER QUESTIONS SHORTLY.

THEY ARE COMING IN.

A LOT OF PAPERS.

>> YOU SURE DO.

>>Lauren: JUST TO WRAP UP, MAYBE YOU CAN TOUCH ON WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP WHO COUNTS THE VOTES AND WHO IS MAKE SURE THEY'RE COUNTED CORRECTLY.

>> THAT RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH THE STATE.

>>Lauren: GOT IT HOW CLOSE OR FAR OUT DOES THAT HAPPEN FROM ELECTION DAY?

>> WE HAVE, WHEN DID WE DO IT?

>> I BELIEVE STATE PROBABLY STARTS THEIR PREPROCESSING.

CALL PREPROCESSING OF THE ENVELOPES ROUGHLY ABOUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE I BELIEVE.

WHERE THEY ACTUALLY START BURSTING THESE AND SCANNING THE BALLOTS THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE NOT TECHNICALLY COUNTING THE BALLOTS BECAUSE THEY'RE SCANNING IT.

CAPTURING IMAGES OF THE ACTUAL BALLOTS APPROPRIATE TIME PUSH THE BUTTON AND RECOGNIZES VOTES OFF OF THOSE BALLOTS.

>>Lauren: CRITICAL DISTINCTION TO NOTE.

DON'T WANT TO WAIT TILL ELECTION DAY TO START TO COUNT ALL OF THESE BALLOTS.

WOULDN'T GET TIMELY RESULTS.

PROCESS STARTS EARLY ON.

NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA LIKE ANY EARLY COUNTS THAT COULD BE LEAKED.

>> NOT POSSIBLE ANOTHER SECURITY FEATURE.

>>Lauren: THEY'RE SEALED?

>> NO GETTING BALLOTS AS EARLY AS 17 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

BECAUSE AS SOON AS THEY GO OUT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED AND DROPBOXES WE OPEN BASICALLY THE DROPBOXES SAME DAY THE BALLOTS GO OUT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IF THEY WANT TO USE THOSE DROPBOX.

START GETTING MAIL IN.

BULK OF OUR BALLOTS COME THROUGH USPS, LARGE MAJORITY.

60%, 70%.

THEY'RE BROADER AGAIN, PROCESS GLENN TALKED TO ASSURE THAT PROPERLY SIGNATURE VERIFIED EVERYTHING.

AND THEN THEY'RE TAKEN TO A SECURE COUNTING CENTER, WILL START THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING THOSE BALLOTS FROM THOSE BALLOT RETURN PACKETS AND THEN RETURNING THEM THROUGH START THE COUNTING PROCESS.

THERE IS NO EARLY, NOBODY HAS ANY IDEA WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE.

BUT THE PROCESS OF STARTING TO, PROCESSING THOSE BALLOTS FOR PREPARATION FOR COUNTING AND IT BE TABULATION STARTS 2 WEEKS BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

>>Lauren: BUSY SEASON.

FOR THE FOUR OF YOU.

GET TO SOME OF OUR VIEWER QUESTIONS.

ERIC KAILUA ASKING, ANY ONE OF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

IF I DO NOT WANT TO VET BY MAIL, TALK BEING ABOUT MAIL IN VOTING WHERE CAN I VOTE IN PERSON AND IS THERE A RECOMMENDED BEST TIME TO GO TO THE POLLING PLACE?

>> I WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE.

ON MAUI WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING VOTER SERVICE CENTERS IN HANA FOR COUPLE OF POP UPDATES.

WE WILL BE ON LANAI AND MOLOKAI THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EACH ELECTION.

AN ELECTION DAY.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE THE LAHAINA CIVIC CENTER OPEN THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE.

AND ELECTION DAY.

AND THEN OUR MAIN HUB WHICH IS IN WAILUKU, SANTOS, COMMUNITY CENTER, THAT WILL BE OPEN FOR THE ENTIRE 2 WEEK PERIOD.

THE BEST TIME TO COME IS EARLY.

LAST FEW DAYS FROM MY UNDERSTANDING JUST GET GETS REALLY HECTIC.

DON'T WAIT.

COME IN EARLY AND JUST GET YOUR VOTES IN.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO THINK COUNTY OF MAUI HAS UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.

CAN YOU TOUCH ON THAT.

>> RIGHT.

SO WE ARE COUNTY OF THREE ISLANDS.

AN SO LOGISTICALLY FLYING IN EQUIPMENT AND FLYING BACK THE EQUIPMENT WITH THE BALLOTS.

WE ALSO OBVIOUSLY WITH THE FIRES, A LOT OF CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHY WE'RE LAST ELECTION TIME DID NOT HAVE LAHAINA CIVIC CENTER OPEN.

BUT THIS TIME, A LOT PEOPLE LOST CAR A LOT OF HOMES.

SETTING UP THERE TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

HOPEFULLY TAKE OUT SOME OF THE CONGESTION IN WAILUKU COMMUNITY CENTER.

>>Lauren: COUPLE OF MAUI QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

THESE TWO, THIS ONE FROM MARK.

EMAILED IN.

ROBERT IN KAHULUI.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS.

I'M GOING TO KIND OF COMBINE THEM.

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE FOLKS FROM LAHAINA AND UPCOUNTRY LOST THEIR HOMES?

HOW WILL THEY GET THEIR BALLOTS?

AND THEN MARK, ASKING, SIMILAR QUESTION.

ABOUT HOW ARE WE REACHING OUT TO LAHAINA VOTERS MIGHT HAVE HAD TO MOVE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR?

>> DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OUTREACH SPECIFIC TO LAHAINA.

OUR OFFICE CALLED APPROXIMATELY 7,000 VOTERS.

WE EMAILED IF WE HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS.

WE SHOW UP TO LAHAINACENTRIC EVENTS.

SUCH AS THERE IS KUPUNA DAYS OUT IN LAHAINA.

ONE OF THE HOTELS.

WE GO THERE.

ANYTHING WE CAN WE'RE AT THE MALL.

WE'RE DOING A LOT OF OUTREACH FOR THAT.

THERE ARE HOME LOSSES IN KULA.

NOT AS HIGH DEGREE AS LAHAINA.

SO WHAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING LAHAINA RESIDENTS TO DO IS JUST PLEASE KEEP UPDATING FOR US TO KEEP TRACK OF YOU.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOUR OR FIVE TIMES OR MORE, FINE WITH THAT.

IF YOU NEED ABSENTEE BALLOT WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL.

WE HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THE STATE TO TRY AND GET THOSE ADDRESSES UPDATED.

>>Lauren: THIS QUESTION IS FOUR.

MOSES IN KAPOLEI, ASKING, LONG LINE AND ELECTION NIGHT IN HONOLULU HALE.

AND KAPOLEI HALE.

EVEN ON MAUI.

AT THE WALK IN VOTING PLACE.

WILL THERE BE MORE LOCATIONS FOR WALK IN VOTING   THIS TIME?

>> YES.

WE ARE EXPECTING LINES ON THE LAST DAY.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO UTILIZE SOME OF THE IN PERSON SERVICES TO COME BEFORE THE LAST DAY.

IF YOU COME ON ANY DAY BEFORE BUT THE LAST DAY, YOU CAN BE IN AND OUT IN TEN MINUTES.

IF A VOTER COMES ON THE LAST DAY, BE PREPARED TO BE WITH US FOR EVEN UPWARD OF COUPLE OF HOURS.

WE ARE A VOTE BY MAIL STATE.

BUT VOTER SERVICES CENTERS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO NEED CERTAIN SERVICES LIKE UPDATING THEIR REGISTRATION OR PERHAPS DISABLED, NEED ACCESS TO ACCESSIBLE VOTING DEVICE.

WE REALLY ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE PRIMARY VOTING MECHANISM WHICH IS VOTING BY MAIL.

BUT LIKE I SAID, I AM PREDICTING LINES ON THE LAST DAY.

AT THESE TWO SITES.

BUT WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LEGISLATIVE POLICY OR THE LAW THAT SAYS, THAT THEY WANT TO HAWAII VOTERS TO BE PRIMARILY ON ONE VOTING SCHEME.

WHICH IS THE VOTE BY MAIL PROCESS.

LEGISLATURE IN FACT SPECIFICALLY TELLS US THEY WANT A LIMITED NUMBER OF, QUOTE, LIMITED NUMBER OF VOTER SERVICE CENTERS.

TRY TO BE TRUE TO THAT.

THAT BEING SAID, AT LEAST ON OAHU, WE KNOW THERE ARE CERTAIN CHALLENGES GEOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES.

SO AGAIN, WE ARE OPERATING VOTER SERVICE CENTERS AT HONOLULU HALE, AND KAPOLEI HALE FOR THE FULL TWO WEEK PERIOD.

WE ALSO HAVE POP UP CENTERS FOR FIVE DAYS AT THE KANEOHE DISTRICT PARK.

AND THEN AT THE WAHIAWA DISTRICT PARK PULL IN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS.

AGAIN, PRIMARY VOTING MECHANISM IS VOTING BY MAIL.

>>Lauren: BASICALLY, IF YOU WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON, JUST EXPECT THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT.

>> YEAH.

KIND OF LIKE TRAVELING THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

YOU'RE GOING TO EXPECT TO SEE CERTAIN LINES AT THE AIRPORT.

SAME THING WITH ELECTION DAY.

WHY WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO AGAIN COME IN EARLY.

IT WILL BE MUCH MORE PLEASANT EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU'RE IN AND OUT IN TEN MINUTES.

>> I THINK KEY POINT.

BY AND LARGE, VOTER SERVICE CENTERS MINUS POP UPS, SITES YOU MENTIONED, YOU GUYS ADVERTISE VERY WELL, ARE OPEN TEN DAYS.

BEFORE THE ELECTION.

ON SATURDAYS AS WELL.

TRY TO PROVIDE MAKE SURE THAT IS THERE A TIME FRAME THAT CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE REGARDLESS WHAT LIFESTYLES THEY MAY HAVE.

AS GLENN SAID, I'VE BEEN AT ONE HOUR VOTER SERVICE CENTERS ON A SATURDAY.

I WAS SURPRISED HOW FEW PEOPLE WERE COMING.

THEN LATER ON, THERE MIGHT BE A LINE ON ELECTION DAY.

TELL PEOPLE PEOPLE KNOW, IT WAS HERE FOR YOU ON SATURDAY.

BY AND LARGE, PEOPLE SAID, WE'RE OKAY.

>> WE'LL STAND IN LINE.

BUT IT'S A CHOICE.

THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

AND IT CAN BE A VERY QUICK PROCESS.

WITHOUT A LINE AT ALL.

JUST DEPENDING UPON PROXIMITY TO ELECTION DAY.

LIKE YOUR TIP.

DON'T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE.

MIGHT BE LIKE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

>> SHOPPING RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

FEW ANALOGIES WE CAN THROW OUT THERE.

>>Lauren: THAT QUESTION TO YOU.

>> JANE VIA EMAIL.

HOW ARE MAILING LISTS FOR BALLOTS KEPT CURRENT FOR EXAMPLE I RECEIVED A BALLOT AFTER MY MOTHER DIED.

SHOULD HAVE I NOTIFIED SOMEONE OR SOME OFFICE AND THEN SAME QUESTION, REGARDING PEOPLE WHO MOVE OUT OF STATE, YES.

>> SOMEONE PASSES AWAY, PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR ELECTIONS OFFICE ON YOUR ISLAND.

WE SOMETIMES GET NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BUT IT'S SO MUCH EASIER IF YOU WERE TO UPDATE WHETHER IT'S YOUR ADDRESS, IF YOU MOVED, NO LONGER IN THE STATE OF HAWAII, IF YOU MOVED LET US KNOW.

BALLOT WON'T BE SENT OUT.

OR AGAIN, IF SOMEONE PASSED AWAY, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND THEY'LL BE TAKEN OFF.

>>Lauren: IS THERE A NUMBER THAT YOU CALL OR WEBSITE THAT YOU WOULD GO TO.

>> ANY OF OUR COUNTY ELECTION OFFICES.

>>Lauren: DOES THAT HAPPEN PEOPLE TRY TO EXTEND IN A BALLOT FROM MAYBE SOMEBODY WHO PASSED AWAY, THEY HAPPENED TO STILL GET THAT BALLOT IN THE MAIL?

>> YOU SAY TRY TO SEND IN, FRAUDULENTLY.

>>Lauren: YEAH, I WOULD HOPE NOT.

DIFFICULT, IT'S ALSO A CLASS C FELONY.

YOU'RE SIGNING ATTESTING WHEN YOU SIGN THAT YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FORGE YOUR SIGNATURE TO DEGREE THAT WOULD PASS THROUGH OUR SYSTEM TOO.

I CAN'T SAY IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

BUT IT IS A FELONY FOR A REASON.

IT'S NOT A MISDEMEANOR.

IT'S NOT A SMALL MATTER.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY, WE'VE HEARD, I'VE HEARD ANECDOTAL THINGS.

CLASSIC DEAD PEOPLE VOTING.

THAT IS ASCARY THOUGHT.

WITH YOU ALWAYS SAY IF YOU EVER HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, YOU NEED TO ALERT US.

IF THERE ARE POTENTIAL VOTER FRAUD WE WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE I THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT IF ANYBODY WERE EVER TO ATTEMPT THAT, THEY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE TO THAT, THEY NEED TO BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.

BECAUSE IT IS NO SMALL MEASURE.

EACH PERSON SHOULD BE ONE PERSON ONE VOTE.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES ALL OF THIS APPROPRIATE AND CORRECT FOR EVERYBODY.

JUST KNOWING THAT MY VOTE AND YOUR VOTE HAVE EQUAL WEIGHT.

>>Lauren: THAT WAS ALSO WHERE THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION PROCESS COMES IN.

RIGHT.

>> CORRECT.

VOTER ROLES ARE UPDATED BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE STATE THAT THEY GET ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.

SO WE DO UPDATE.

>> I THINK THEY STEP ON QUESTION, IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE PEOPLE TO KNOW WHILE WE DO TAKE SEMIACTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT OUR ROLLS ARE QUOTE, UNQUOTE CLEAN, I HOPE PEOPLE APPRECIATE THIS, WE DON'T ACTIVELY CALL THEM LOOKING FOR A REASON TO REMOVE MOVE PEOPLE FROM THE VOTER ROLLS THAT'S A FEATURE SYSTEM.

NOT A FLAW.

WE NEED TO GET INFORMATION, FOR INSTANCE, WE READ OBITUARY, TAKE THAT PERSON OFF.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

I THINK IT'S RATHER BIG DEAL TO REMOVE SOMEBODY FROM VOTER REGISTRATION.

GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, 130,000 REGISTERED VOTERS ON OUR ISLAND.

ONLY 109,000 ARE GOING TO GET BALLOTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH REGISTERED, THERE'S A PORTION ON THERE THAT ARE INACTIVE FOR VARIETY REASONS.

WE'RE NOT SURE.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR ADDRESS, WE DON'T REMOVE THEM FROM THE ROLLS.

THAT'S A RATHER SOMETHING WE DON'T WANT TO DO UNLESS WE KNOW IT'S NECESSARY OR SOMEBODY CANCELED REGISTRATION, BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ACTIVELY RELY UPON VOTERS TO HELP US OUT WITH VOTER REGISTRATION ROLL.

>> ONE THING TO REMEMBER, MAINTENANCE OF VOTER ROLL IS GOVERNED HOW WE DO IT, GOVERNED BY FEDERAL LAW.

SO WE CAN'T JUST TAKE YOU OFF THE ROLL.

WE HAVE FOLLOW UP WITH MAILER AND IF THAT IS NOT RESPONDED TO, WAIT FOR TWO ELECTION CYCLES.

PRIOR TO ACTUALLY REMOVING A VOTER.

FROM THE VOTER ROLL.

AND INTERESTING BECAUSE HAWAII CAN BE AT LEAST HONOLULU, CAN BE A VERY TRANSIENT COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN AND OUT AND WITHIN AND THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW THAT THAT OCCURS, IS IF WE GET, WE ATTEMPT MAILER AND VOTER CARD COMES BACK, OR WE DO SOME DATABASE, TO TRY TO IDENTIFY RECORDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOVED.

I THINK I SAW SOMEWHERE LAST YEAR, 10,000 PERSONS MOVED OUT OF HAWAII, I MEAN, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT.

A LOT OF THEM WENT TO CALIFORNIA.

SOME TO NEVADA.

BUT I ALSO READ 10,000 PEOPLE FROM CALIFORNIA RELOCATED TO HAWAII.

THAT IS THE TRICKY PART.

NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT VOTER ROLL.

WE ALL WANT THE VOTER ROLL TO BE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE.

BUT THERE IS NO SUCH THING.

NOT IN A TRANSIENT COMMUNITY.

OUR ROLE MEETINGS ON OAHU, MIGHT HAVE BIT MORE DEAD WOOD THAN SAY, JADE ON KAUAI.

JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE PERHAPS HIGH RENT PEOPLE MOVING AROUND SEARCHING FOR BEST DEAL.

MOANA WENT THROUGH A TRAGEDY.

WHERE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS NOT THERE.

AND IS PROBABLY SCATTERED ALL AROUND MAUI.

SO THOSE ARE THE CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE FREEDOM.

AS AMERICANS.

>> TO MOVE PICK UP AND MOVE.

SO ELECTION OFFICIALS ACROSS THE NATION DO THEIR BEST, I THINK, TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THOSE THAT HAVE MOVED, AND KEEP THINGS CURRENT.

BUT AGAIN, WE RELY UPON VOTERS TELL US SOMETHING HAPPENED IN THEIR LIFE.

GRANDPA DIED OR WHATNOT.

AND WE CAN START TAKING ACTION TO AGAIN REMOVE SOMEBODY FROM A ROLL OR SO AND SO MOVED TO THE MAINLAND.

>> NOT A CUMBERSOME PROCESS FOR SOMEBODY TO UPDATE THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION.

>> CAN BE DONE ONLINE.

IT CAN BE DONE THROUGH THE MAIL.

IF THEY HAVE A QUESTIONS, CALL US, GO ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE HAVE REALLY SIMPLE PATHWAYS TO GET PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO UPDATE THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION.

IT'S QUICK.

IT'S QUOTE, UNQUOTE PAINLESS.

SO THAT IS KIND OF HELP WE RELY UPON FOR PEOPLE TO DO.

GRANTED, WHEN EVENTS HAPPENED LIVE, PROBABLY NOT FORMAL THING ON THEIR LIFE.

WORRIED ABOUT THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR NEXT BILL, SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE, BILLS DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

CRITICAL THAT'S VOTER DOES HELP US OUT TO MAKE SURE REGISTRATION IS UP TO DATE WITH THEY HAVE LIFE CHANGING EVENTS.

>>Lauren: SINCE WE'RE TALKING UPDATING REGISTRATION.

NEW VOTER THIS YEAR JUST TURNED 18.

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

MAKE SURE WE GET THIS INFORMATION ACROSS.

>> THEY CAN DO IT ONLINE.

SIMPLEST WAY.

>> STATE ID, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

DRIVER'S LICENSE.

HAWAII'S DRIVER'S LICENSE ONLINE.

TRADITIONAL WAY ON PAPER.

MAKE SURE WE MAIL OUT BALLOT TO MOST CURRENT ADDRESS NICE THING FOR NEW VOTER.

HAVE SIGNATURE ON FILE.

NEED VOTE BY MAIL SYSTEM.

HAVE A CLEAN ACCURATE SIGNATURE ON FILE TO COMPARE WHEN THEY DO SEND MAIL IN BALLOT.

>>Lauren: DON'T DO IT BY PAPER HOW DO YOU GET SIGNATURES.

>> WE CAN GET IT THROUGH MULTIPLE VEHICLES.

>> THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I MY DAUGHTER IS TURNING 18 IN AUGUST AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE HER DRIVER'S LICENSE YET.

WORKING ON IT.

SO FOR HER, THAT WOULDN'T WORK.

SO SHE'S ALREADY ASKED ABOUT VOTING.

EXCITED TO VOTE.

SO JUST RECOMMEND VERY SIMPLE FORM.

CAN BE DONE IN FEW MINUTES.

HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED.

>> SHE'LL NUMBER SYSTEM AN SIGNATURE ON FILE.

GET A BALLOT AT HOME.

CAN DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

>>Lauren: FOR THE FOLKS NEW IT VOTING, JUST REGISTERING WANT TO DO IT ON LINE.

DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

HOW WOULD YOU GET THEIR SIGNATURE.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE HAWAII DRIVER'S LICENSE, OR STATE ID, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO IT VIA TRADITIONAL WAY.

VIA PAPER.

CAN MAIL IT IN TO US.

WE JUST ASK THAT YOU DO IT EARLY BECAUSE WE MAIL OUT BALLOTS ROUGHLY 21 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

OBVIOUSLY NOT IN THE DATABASE, WE CAN'T MAIL A BALLOT TO YOU.

VOTERS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW LONG WILL TAKE FOR THE MAIL TO GET TO ME VOTE MY BALLOT, MAIL IT BACK, MAKE THESE PLANS.

END UP GETTING BALLOT IN THE LAST WEEK, BEFORE ELECTION, THEY MIGHT HAVE TO GO TO DROPBOX AND PHYSICALLY DROP IT OF RATHER THAN USE THE POSTAL SYSTEM.

>>Lauren: YOU JUST ANSWERED ONE OF OUR BIG ISLAND CALLER ASKED ABOUT WHETHER THEY WILL BE GETTING ELECTION BALLOTS TOO LATE TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

NEW VOTER?

CAN THEY DO IT.

>> COME IN.

THERE'S SOME NUANCES THERE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO EXPECT BALLOT IN THE MAIL, POINT IN TIME IT'S GOING TO BE TOO LATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT VOTER SERVICE CENTER IS GOOD FOR, NOT NECESSARILY PEOPLE AS A DISCRETIONARY MEANS OF VOTER STRENGTH AND VOTE ON THE SAME DAY INCLUDING ELECTION DAY.

AND IN MY EXPERIENCE, IN 2020, FIRST YEAR WITH VOTER SERVICE CENTERS, THAT'S WHAT I SAW.

SOME PEOPLE WERE WASN'T BY CHOICE.

OUT OF TOWN.

FLOWN IN COINCIDENTALLY ELECTION DAY.

EITHER UPDATE REGISTRATION OR REGISTRATION FIRST TIME.

THAT LAW NOW ALLOWS FOR SAME DAY REGISTRATION AND VOTING AT THOSE PLACES.

SO WAS CONVENIENT FOR THEM AND ACCESSIBLE SOMETHING THEY COULD DO.

>>Lauren: QUESTION FROM MARK.

FOR EVERYONE.

CHIME IN HERE.

WITH MAUI COUNTY SPANNING THREE ISLANDS HOW DO YOU SERVE THE VOTERS IN EACH OF THE ISLANDS?

WE'LL START WITH MOANA.

FOR THE OTHER CLERKS, HOW DO YOU SERVE THE OUTER LYING AREAS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS THE MORE CENTRAL AREAS?

>> WE HAVE VOTERS SERVICE CENTERS ON BOTH LANAI AND MOLOKAI.

OPEN THREE DAYS BEFORE EACH ELECTION AND ON ELECTION DAY.

THIS YEAR, ALSO HAVE DROPBOXES AT BOTH VOTING CENTERS THAT WILL BE OPEN FOR ABOUT 18 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.

SO WE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL OF OUR ISLANDS AND OUR COUNTY.

UNIQUE FOR US.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT FOR KAUAI.

>> FOR KAUAI, WE HAVE NINE DROPBOXES.

SO WE HAVE DROPBOX IN JUST ABOUT EVERY COMMUNITY.

BALLOTS GO OUT IN THE MAIL.

AND IF YOU'RE KEKAHA OR HANALEI.

DROP IT OFF WITHOUT DROPBOXES.

>>Lauren: IN PERSON VOTING.

>> IN PERSON VOTING BE AT SERVICE CENTER IN LIHUE.

>>Lauren: BIG ISLAND EXPANSIVE ISLAND.

GROUND TO COVER, LOTS TO GROUND TO COVER.

BEEN TRYING TO EVERY YEAR, INCREASE DROP PLACES TO DEPOSIT OR DROP BOX AVAILABILITY.

THE PEOPLE DO APPRECIATE THEM FOR WHATEVER REASONS, WE STILL GET BULK IS IN THE MAIL.

DO USE THOSE.

AND SHEAR REALITY VOTER SERVICE CENTER, SINCE 2020 AND THROUGH 2022 INTO 2024, HAD THEM IN OUR MAIN CALL IF, LIKE MUNICIPAL CENTERS IN KONA AND HILO THAT HAVE EPICENTERS FOR ACTIVITY.

AGAIN, OPEN FOR TEN DAYS.

SO THOSE ARE THE PLACE THAT IS ARE AT, HOPEFUL THAT IF PEOPLE LIVE IN MORE DISTANT AREAS WOULD EITHER PREFER TO USE VOTER SERVICE CENTER REQUIRE ONE, WITHIN TEN DAYS, LIKELY THEY WOULD BE THERE FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, SHOPPING.

VISITING PEOPLE, RELATIVES, EVENTS, OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SIMPLY UNABLE FOR A LOT OF REASONS TO KIND OF AGAIN PUT IT TOO, I'M CAUTIOUS NOT TO SLOWLY SLIP BACK IN A POLLING PLACE MODEL.

START TO HAVE THESE VOTING SERVICE CENTERS POPPING UP RURAL AREAS.

>> WITH TRIED THAT IN THE PAST.

DIDN'T GET A LOT OF USAGE THROUGH EARLY WALK IN VOTING.

SOME OF MORE RURAL AREAS.

SO YEAH.

JUST A MATTER, VOTING BY MAIL.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO BALLOT, WHICH I HAVEN'T HEARD TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THAT.

AND THEN WHAT THEY DO WITH IT AFTER THAT LARGELY AGAIN IS PUT IT BACK IN THE MAIL.

REALLY, DOESN'T REALLY AFFECT THEM IF THEY'RE IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH THE LOT OF SERVICES AROUND THEM.

>>Lauren: STAY WITH YOU.

BETSY FROM HILO ASKING, KIND OF RELATED.

HAVE YOU NOTICED COUNTY LEVEL INCREASE IN VOTER TURNOUT SINCE HAWAII WENT TO MAIL IN VOTING?

MAIL IN BALLOTING?

>> FIRST YEAR, WE HAD REALLY LARGE TURN OUT.

I BELIEVE IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE CANDIDATES IN THE RACES.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE A, I'M NOT ONE HERE IS GOING TO START MAKING PREDICTIONS.

NOT REALLY COMFORTABLE WITH THESE QUESTIONS QUITE FRANKLY.

I'LL SAY I'M NOT.

NOT UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT IT'S ABOUT THE CABINETS, ABOUT THE RACES.

VOTING IS AVAILABLE, ACCESSIBLE.

WHAT GETS PEOPLE INTERESTED A LOT OF TIMES IS JUST WHO IS ON THE BALLOT AND WHY AND WHAT KIND OF RACES THEY ARE.

FOR US, EVERYTHING IS ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

MAYOR, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, COUNCIL, AND OF COURSE PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

SO THAT WILL LIKELY STIMULATE VOTING TO PRETTY HIGH LEVELS IN THE GENERAL.

WE DON'T HAVE PRIMARY VOTING HERE FOR PRESIDENTIAL RACES, JUST IN THE GENERAL.

SO IN NOVEMBER, PRETTY HIGH TURNOUT I WOULD IMAGINE.

>>Lauren: THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU FROM LIHUE ASKING, HOW DID THE RESIDENTS IN NIIHAU VOTE, MAILED BALLOTS OUT TO THEM.

IF THEY RETURN THEM, SO THE ROBINSON FAMILY WILL SEE US COLLECTING IT ASSIST US AND THEY'LL MAIL IT BACK TO US.

>>Lauren: WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT UNDER 5 MINUTES.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS.

>> UNDER 15 MINUTES.

SPEED THROUGH THEM, MAKE SURE WE GET ALL OF OUR VIEWERS ENGAGED IN AND WATCHING.

MAYBE CAN YOU TAKE THAT ONE?

MELANIE, KULA ASKING, MY BROTHER IS IN PRISON.

ABLE TO VOTE?

>> IF THE PERSON IS STILL INCARCERATED, NO.

THEY HAVE LOST THEIR VOTING RIGHTS.

SO ONCE HE'S OUT.

>> ON PROBATION, PAROLE, HE CAN REGISTER AND VOTE.

ONCE YOU'VE, AGAIN, YEAH, IF THEY'RE STILL INCARCERATED, YEAH, VOTING RIGHTS ARE, I GUESS SUSPENDED IF YOU WILL.

>>Lauren: I'M GOING TO READ THESE TWO QUESTIONS BECAUSE FAIRLY SIMILAR.

BUT LANCE FROM MAUI ASKING, MY NEIGHBOR AND FAMILY ALL RECEIVED YELLOW POSTCARDS CONFIRMING THEIR REGISTRATION BUT I DIDN'T.

HOW DO I CHECK THAT MY VOTER REGISTRATION IS UP TO DATE?

CARROLL FROM MILILANI ON OAHU, SAYS, LAST MONTH, I RECEIVED 7 VOTER CONFIRMATION NOTICES IN MY MAIL.

MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ONLY OCCUPANTS AT THIS ADDRESS.

BUT THERE WERE FIVE OTHER NOTICES FOR PEOPLE NEVER HEARD OF.

>> QUICKEST WAY TO CHECK VOTER REGISTRATION, STATE'S ELECTIONS WEBSITE.

PUNCH IN A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION.

STATUS QUICKLY BROUGHT FORWARD.

CHECK EVERYTHING ON THERE.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE ACTIVE, ALL INFORMATION ON YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, RESIDENTS ADDRESS IS ALL ACCURATE.

JUST TAKE A FEW SECONDS.

IF YOU CAN'T, FEEL FREE TO CALL OUR OFFICES.

HAPPY TO TALK TO PEOPLE.

TALK PEOPLE THROUGH THINGS.

NOT A PROBLEM WHATSOEVER.

WHAT WE'RE THERE FOR.

>>Lauren: MILILANI ASKING ARE THERE OBSERVERS FROM THE VARIOUS PARTIES ON HAND WALK IN VOTING PLACES?

MAYBE CAN YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKS.

>> SURE.

WE DO HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE POLITICAL PARTIES TO SUBMIT VOTER SERVICE CENTER WATCHERS.

>> WE HAVE HAD WATCHERS IN PAST ELECTIONS AND SO WE EXPECT THAT THERE LIKELY BE A FEW NAMES SUBMITTED THIS TIME AS WELL.

ONE OF THE THINGS NEED TO REALIZE TOO, IS THAT ABOUT 97% OF VOTES ARE CAST BY MAIL.

WE ARE A VOTE BY MAIL JURISDICTION.

SO THE VOTER SERVICE CENTER WATCHES WHILE WE WELCOME THEM, LOOK AT ONLY 3% OF THE ACTUALLY GUESS TURN OUT OR VOTES THAT ARE CAST.

BUT CERTAINLY WELCOME THEM AND IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS, WE WORK WITH THEM AND TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO YEAH, WE HAVE THOSE AS WELL.

>> I THINK BIG ISLAND, MAUI HAD SOME, KAUAI.

>>Lauren: SORT OF A LOGISTICAL QUESTION ABOUT REGISTRATION.

CALLER CALLED IN TO PBS ASKING, WHEN SOMEONE GETS A DRIVER'S LICENSE, DO THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE A U.S. CITIZEN?

ASKING BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET YOUR LICENSE, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED TO VOTE.

HOW DO THE CLERKS CONFIRM THAT THE PEOPLE ARE U.S. CITIZENS?

>> WELL, FIRSTLY, I THINK YOU ARE NOT AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED WHEN YOU GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YOU HAVE TO OPT IN AND ACTUALLY FILL OUT THE FORM.

HAWAII LAW ACTUALLY AND PERHAPS THAT IS MORE IN MOANA AREA, HAWAII'S LAW STATES ANY PERSON REGISTERING TO VOTE DOES SELF DESCRIBING OATH WITH REGARD TO THEIR CITIZENSHIP.

WE TAKE THEM AT FACE VALUE.

THEY SAY THEY ARE A U.S. CITIZEN.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANY, WELL, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE NOW ACROSS THE NATION THAT SOME PLACES ARE REQUIRING CERTAIN CITIZENSHIP TYPE CHECKS.

BUT THOSE CHECKS MIGHT BE ONLY FOR CERTAIN LOCAL MUNICIPAL OR ELECTIONS.

BUT YEAH, IT SAYS SELF DESCRIBING OATH THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

>>Lauren: VIEWER FROM MAUI.

ASKING, ARE THE BALLOTS MAILED TO EVERYONE?

WRITTEN IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES?

>> FOR MAUI?

>>Lauren: YES.

STATEWIDE.

>> WE PUT IT, BALLOTS GO OUT IN ILOCANO AND ENGLISH.

>>Lauren: THEN FROM KAUAI, JOAN ASKING, WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT?

>> YOU COULD JUST CONTACT THE OFFICE AND WE'LL SEND THEM A FORM AND THEY CAN FILL OUT.

I ASSUME THEY'RE GOING TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR HOME ON KAUAI.

OR SOMETHING, COULD ACTUALLY APPLY NOW, ANY TIME WITHIN THE YEAR.

BUT AGAIN, IF THEY'RE JUST THINKING OF ABSENTEE BALLOT, BUT THEY'RE AT THEIR HOME, IT'S A VOTE BY MAIL SCHEME.

SO WE WILL MAIL THE BALLOT DIRECTLY TO THE PERSON'S VOTER REGISTRATION ADDRESS WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> BASICALLY ALL BECOME ABSENTEE VOTERS.

HOW WE GOT HERE.

ESSENTIALLY, NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WERE APPLYING FOR ORIGINALLY YOU HAD TO HAVE A REASON TO GET AN ABSENTEE BALLOT A LONG TIME AGO.

REQUIREMENT, HAVE TO A REASON ELIMINATED MORE AND MORE PEOPLE SIGNING UP FOR ABSENTEE MAILING.

>> WEREN'T ON MAINLAND OR MARS, THEY WERE HERE.

PREFERRED.

INCREASED LEGISLATURE FELT COMFORTABLE SAYING VOTERS HAVE CHOSEN HOW THEY WANT TO VOTE BY VOTING.

STILL PEOPLE DO ABSENTEE VOTING BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET THEIR BALLOT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE AT THEIR RESIDENCE WHERE THEY WOULD NORMALLY GET THEIR BALLOT.

THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING, BUT THAT TIMING ELEMENT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET IT OUT TO YOU.

GET IT BACK IN THE MAIL.

WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE DROPBOX.

IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

>>Lauren: WE HAVE A VIEWER IN WAIKIKI.

NAME IS TOM.

REPHRASE THE QUESTION.

ASKING IF THE COUNTIES CONCERNED ABOUT ANY POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENCE WHEN IT COMES TO AROUND THE ELECTIONS HERE IN HAWAII.

>> WELL, I THINK DISRUPTION IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH.

JUST EARLIER IN THIS YEAR, STATE CAPITOL WAS EVACUATED BECAUSE OF SOME THREATS, SO THAT CERTAINLY IS A POSSIBLE.

IN ELECTION OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY NOW HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT OR THINK ABOUT SOME OF THESE THINGS.

WHEN WE NEVER HAD TO DO THIS.

IN MY FIRST 15, 20 YEARS OF DOING THIS, WE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT DISRUPTION OR FOREIGN INFLUENCE OVER OUR ELECTIONS OR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MIXED OR WRONG INFORMATION GOING OUT.

DISINFORMATION.

MISINFORMATION.

SOME OF THE THINGS NOW AS ELECTION OFFICIALS WE ARE THINKING ABOUT.

AND WE HOPE THAT THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE PONDER, I GUESS, AND TRY TO PREPARE FOR.

YOU CAN'T PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAS.

MAUI REACHED OUT TO ALL OF US.

MET WITH US TO DISCUSS SOME OF THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.

WE WORK WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND FOR AT LEAST OUR MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY HAVE OFFICERS THAT ARE ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ELECTIONS.

SO IF THEY ARE FAMILIARIZED WITH ELECTION LAW AND SO FORTH, THEY'LL BE READY JUST IN CASE.

>>Lauren: SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS SOME BEHIND THE SCENES PREP WORK JUST IN CASE SCENARIO, FEW MORE 411 LOGISTICAL QUESTIONS.

IS THERE AVAILABLE PARKING AT THE VOTER SERVICE CENTERS AND DO WE HAVE TO PAY TO PARK?

THIS IS FROM SAUL IN KAHUKU.

>> OUR VOTER SERVICE CENTERS ARE ALL AT PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

TWO POP UPS IN KAHUKU, CALLER, WE HAVE THE, I BELIEVE CLOSEST ONE WOULD PROBABLY BE EITHER AT THE KANEOHE DISTRICT PARK OR WAHIAWA.

>> CERTAINLY PARKING IS FREE THERE.

OUR VOTERS SERVICE CENTER AT HONOLULU HALE OFFER FREE PARKING ON THE METERS.

BUT AGAIN, ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE ELECTION, WE'RE LOOKING TO OPEN UP THE MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT TO ALLOW BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LOT MORE PEOPLE COMING BY.

PART OF PLANS.

>>Lauren: DAY PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO EXPECT TO WAIT.

>> YES.

OF COURSE.

THAT'S WHY WE DON'T RECOMMEND WAITING TILL THE VERY LAST DAY.

>>Lauren: WE HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION.

WHAT ABOUT COLLEGE KIDS OUT OF THE STATE OR ANYONE WHO LIVES IN HAWAII BUT IS OUT OF THE STATE DURING THE ELECTION TIME.

CAN A FAMILY MEMBER SEND IN THEIR BALLOT ON THEIR BEHALF?

>> NOT WITHOUT THEIR SIGNATURE.

THAT GOES BACK TO THE ABSENTEE VOTING.

PEOPLE THAT ARE NOW KIND OF OUR TRADITIONAL ABSENTEE VOTERS.

MILITARY, PEOPLE, THAT IF THEY MOVE BECAUSE OF SCHOOLS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, ABSENTEE VOTERS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO MAINTAIN VOTING STATUS WHILE THEY'RE LEARNING ABROAD.

EVEN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

>>Lauren: CAN YOU GET A SECOND BALLOT, LET'S SAY ONE WAS SENT TO YOUR HOUSE BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, STUDYING ABROAD.

>> TALKING ABOUT SECURITY.

WE CAN DO REPLACEMENT BALLOTS FOR VARIETY OF REASONS AND MEASURES IN PLACE, MAKE SURE SOMETHING IS ISSUED.

>> ORIGINAL BALLOT CANCELED.

BECOME NULLIFIED.

NOT TWO ACTIVE BALLOTS, TIME RUNS OUT.

STUDENT COLLEGE ON THE MAINLAND THINKING ABOUT GETTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WAITED TOO LONG FOR THE OFFICIAL TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE MAIL.

TURN IT AROUND AND SEND THE BALLOT BACK, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME FORETHOUGHT FOR YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION BALANCE OF ACCESSIBLE AND SECURITY.

TALKED ABOUT HAWAII LAWS OF THAT NATURE KIND OF FALLS ON THE PENDULUM OR SPECTRUM OF ACCESSIBILITY AND SECURITY.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH DOWN THE MIDDLE OF ACCESSIBILITY AND SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE LAST VIEWER QUESTION TO YOU FROM TINA IN KAKAAKO.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE CALLS FROM SKEPTICS WHO DON'T TRUST THE MAIL IN ELECTION PROCESS?

SINCE WE ARE ON THAT TOPIC.

COMES UP IN CONVERSATION.

>> THEY DON'T REALLY COME IN.

ACTUALLY.

I THINK WE'VE HAD MAYBE ONE OR TWO CALLS.

FOR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE PHYSICALLY COME IN AND TRUTH IS I TRY TO TALK THROUGH WITH THEM WHAT OUR PROCESS IS AND HOW THINGS WORK AND OFFER THEM DIFFERENT TYPES OF OPTIONS FOR THEM TO LOOK AT ONLINE AND SO FORTH, BUT ULTIMATELY, I CAN'T CONVINCE YOU OF THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE.

>>Lauren: I KNOW FOUR OF YOU ROLES ARE TO MAKE SURE THIS ELECTION PROCESS GOES SMOOTHLY.

LAST ONLY TWO MINUTES, QUICK ANSWERS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO PEOPLE WATCHING, PEOPLE OF HAWAII, WHY THEY SHOULD TAKE THE TIME TO PLAN AHEAD AND VOTE?

>> I THINK YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

PLEASE VOTE EARLY.

IT'S SECURE.

IT'S SAFE.

I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH.

>> EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN REASONS FOR WANTING TO VOTE.

SOME ONLY VOTE DURING A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IF THAT IS YOUR REASON, THIS IS THE YEAR.

ONLY COME UP ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS.

BUT FOR WHATEVER YOUR REASON BEING, THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY SO YOU NEED TO SEIZE UPON IT NOW.

>>Lauren: BASED ON OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ON MAUI, MY REQUEST IS JUST REALLY PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR ADDRESSES AND CALL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND VOTE EARLY.

>> TWO THINGS SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF NONPARTISAN RACES.

LOCAL RACE.

VOTE IN AUGUST.

DON'T HOPE, DON'T ASSUME THAT THE PERSON THAT YOU SUPPORT IS GOING TO BE THERE IN NOVEMBER.

TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY IN AUGUST TO VOTE IN THE NONPARTISAN RACES.

THEY MAY NOT BE THERE.

SECOND THING AND I THINK COME ACROSS THIS, SURPRISES SOME PEOPLE, THINK THEY HAVE TO VOTE ON EVERY CONTEST IN THE BALLOT FOR ANY OF THEIR VOTES TO COUNT.

YOU DON'T.

JUST VOTE THE RACES YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE VOTE FOR EVERYBODY.

VOTE WHERE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AND ENGAGE AND PARTICIPATE.

>>Lauren: ONE MINUTE LEFT.

ANYTHING YOU WOULD GIVE ANY ADVICE HOW TO VOTE IN AN INFORMED WAY?

>> THINK THAT'S DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR ME, TALK TO PEOPLE.

I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU PARTICULAR ADVICE WHAT MEDIA TO FOLLOW OR RESOURCES OR WHAT TO READ OR WATCH, BUT TALK TO PEOPLE.

>>Lauren: ARE THERE RESOURCES ON THE COUNTY SITES FOR DIFFERENT CANDIDATES AND WHERE THEY CAN FIND INFORMATION?

>> THIS IS NEW THIS YEAR.

>> GET DIGITAL VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE.

VERY ACCESSIBLE.

WEB BASED, EVERY BALLOT WILL COME OUT, HOW DO YOU ACCESS THAT?

WE'RE NOT PRODUCING THAT.

CANDIDATES WILL PUT OUT THEIR OWN.

150 WORD STATEMENTS ABOUT WHAT THEIR PLATFORMS ARE, POLICIES, ALL CHARTER QUESTIONS.

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.

SPECIAL ELECTION.

COUNTY, WE STAY AWAY FROM PUTTING UP CANDIDATE PLATFORMS PROS AND CONS FOR MEASURES.

REALLY WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR US.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

FIRST TIME HAD COUNTY CLERKS IN STUDIO.

WE APPRECIATE IT HERE PBS INSIGHTS.

AND TO THE VIEWERS JOINING US.

JON HENDRICKS OF HAWAII COUNTY, MOANA LUTEY OF MAUI COUNTY, GLEN TAKAHASHI OF HONOLULU COUNTY AND JADE FOUNTAIN TANIGAWA FROM KAUAI COUNTY.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE CONTINUE OUR ELECTION COVERAGE BY HOSTING THE SOME OF THE CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII COUNTY MAYOR.

THEY SHARE THEIR IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE THE BIG ISLAND BETTER.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I.

ALOHA!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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