HILO — It’s Election Day, but, according to the latest tally, more than one-third of registered voters have already submitted a ballot.
As of Saturday, 38,440 residents — or 34 percent of of the county’s 113,355 registered voters — had made their voice heard at the ballot box, said Pat Nakamoto, Hawaii County Elections Division chief.
That figure is up slightly from the last presidential year in 2012 when 31,726, or 30.4 percent, of registered voters participated in early walk-in voting or mail absentee. In total, early voters made up half of the actual ballots cast that year.
The trend toward early voting is expected to continue, even if overall voter turnout doesn’t change much.
Nakamoto said she expects turnout to be similar to past elections with a presidential race, which can range between 60 percent and 70 percent.
For the remaining voters who will cast a ballot today, here’s what there is left to consider beyond who will sit in the White House for the next four years.
Charter amendment
Voters are being asked to consider adding new language to the county’s General Plan — the policy-setting document for long-term development — relating to economic, environmental or socio-cultural well-being.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who sponsored the amendment, believes the change will force county leaders to be more proactive in addressing issues beyond infrastructure when considering new development.
Planning Director Duane Kanuha said those issues are already considered.
State Constitution amendments
There are two proposed amendments to the state Constitution on the ballot this year.
One would allow civil lawsuits to be brought before a jury, rather than a bench trial, only if the amount in dispute exceeds $10,000. That threshold is currently at $5,000.
The other would allow the Legislature to use surplus funds for prepayment of bond debt and prepayment of employee pensions and post-retirement benefits.
Following a 2010 amendment, lawmakers can choose between giving residents a refund or placing the excess funds in budget reserve accounts.
The latest proposal would provide additional options.
Candidates
With Harry Kim’s dominance in the primary, the mayor’s race is already finished.
But there are still other races left to be decided.
In Hilo’s council District 3, Moana Kelii, a union agent with Hawaii Government Employees Association, is competing with Sue Lee Loy, a planning consultant, to fill the seat being vacated by Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi.
In council District 4, covering lower Puna, Eileen Ohara of Hawaiian Shores is running against Madie Greene of Nanawale Estates to replace Councilman Greggor Ilagan.
Greene is a former business owner and former president of the Nanawale Community Association.
Ohara teaches economics at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and is a former Hawaiian Shores Community Association president.
In the state races, Democratic state Sen. Kai Kahele is running against Libertarian Kimberly Arianoff for Senate District 1, representing Hilo. The winner will complete the remaining term of Kahele’s father, the late Sen. Gil Kahele.
Democratic state Sen. Russell Ruderman is defending his District 2 seat, covering Puna and parts of Ka‘u, from Libertarian Fred Fogel.
State Rep. Richard Onishi, Democrat, is facing challenges from Green Party candidate Kealoha Pisciotta and Libertarian Party candidate Gregory Arianoff for House District 3, stretching from Hilo to Ka‘u.
State Rep. Mark Nakashima, Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Byron Young in District 1, covering Hamakua.
State Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, Democrat, is facing challenges from Luana Jones, non-partisan, and Constitution Party candidate Moke Stephens. She represents Puna’s District 4.
For the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Mililani Trask is running against incumbent Bob Lindsey for the Hawaii Island seat while Kelii Akina is seeking to unseat Haunani Apoliona for an at-large position.
In federal races, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard are both up for re-election. Both are Democrats.
To find your polling place, visit https://olvr.hawaii.gov/altpollingplacesearch.aspx.
West Hawaii Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer contributed to this report.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.