HONOLULU (KHON2) — With Hawaii’s Primary Election just days away, O?ahu voters now have more options to cast their ballots in person.
Two temporary voter service center pop-up locations opened Monday at K?ne?ohe District Park and Wahiaw? District Park, giving voters on the Windward side, North Shore and in Central O?ahu easier access to election services before Saturday’s Primary Election.
The additional sites join the two permanent voter service centers at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale, marking the first time all four locations have operated simultaneously.
“We used to have the pop-ups open in sequence, but we figured, why not have them open at the same time?” said Honolulu Elections Administrator Rex Quidilla. “Our metrics show there’s greater voter interest closer to the election.”
Election officials said turnout on opening day at the temporary centers was on pace with Kapolei Hale, a sign that voters are taking advantage of the added convenience.
The temporary centers offer the same services as the permanent locations, including in-person voting, same-day voter registration, ballot replacement, accessible voting equipment and ballot drop-off.
For voter Haunani Kahea, having a polling place close to home made the process much easier.
“I just want to say how convenient it is to have a polling place here where I live,” Kahea said. “It sure beats having to go to town or Kapolei Hale. I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate it too.”
Kahea said she also prefers voting in person because she feels it is a more secure way to cast her ballot.
The temporary voter centers in K?ne?ohe and Wahiaw? will be open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Aug. 7 only. They will not be open on Primary Election Day, Aug. 8.
Instead, election officials said staff from the temporary locations will be reassigned to Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale to help accommodate larger crowds on Election Day.
Neighbor Island voters can find information about voter service centers and pop-up locations on the State of Hawai?i Office of Elections website.
The deadline for voted mail ballots to be received is 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, Primary Election Day.