Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR072718LATEVOTERREGISTRATIONANDEARLYVOTINGSERVICES0. G OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK ELECTIONS DIVISION Jade K. Fountain-Tanigawa, County Clerk qrs OF Scott K. Sato, Deputy County Clerk For Immediate Release: Contact: Lyndon M. Yoshioka July 27, 2018 (808) 241-4800 elections@kauai.gov LATE VOTER REGISTRATION AND EARLY VOTING SERVICES TO BEGIN ON JULY 30, 2018 AT THE HISTORIC COUNTY ANNEX Lihu`e, Kauai — In preparation for the Primary Election on Saturday, August 11, 2018, the Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk will begin offering late voter registration and early voting services in the basement of the Historic County Annex (HCA) beginning on Monday, July 30, 2018. Services will be offered Monday thru Saturday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from July 30, 2018 to August 9, 2018. Late voter registration allows qualified individuals who missed the voter registration deadline to register and cast a ballot during the early voting period. Late voter registration applicants will need to complete a registration affidavit and provide one (1) of the following forms of acceptable physical identification: • Hawaii Driver License; • Hawaii State ID; • Military ID; • Passport; or • Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government issued document showing the applicant's name and address. The late voter registration and early voting services being offered in the Historic County Annex are equipped to service the residents of Kauai and Niihau. Individuals residing in other counties within the state of Hawaii must utilize the late voter registration and early voting services provided by the county in which they physically reside. Responses to frequently asked questions concerning the late voter registration and early voting process are provided on the following page. For additional information, please contact the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division at 241-4800. Late Voter Registration and Early Voting Frequently Asked Questions Q: Where is the Historic County Annex (HCA) building located? A: The HCA is located at 4386 Rice Street in Lihu`e. When viewed from Rice Street, the HCA is the single -story, red -roofed building to the right of the Historic County Building. Q: Who can utilize late voter registration services at early voting? A: Since early voting operations are equipped to service all voters residing in the county of Kauai, anyone residing on the islands of Kauai and Niihau are eligible to use late voter registration services during the early voting period from July 30, 2018 to August 9, 2018. Q: Is there a difference between late voter registration services offered at early voting and at the polls on Election Day? A: The late voter registration process is essentially the same regardless of whether it is completed at early voting or at the polls on Election Day. However, due to differing resources at the two venues, services are administered differently. • Early voting is equipped to service all voters residing within the county of Kauai, while an Election Day polling place is only equipped to service voters from a specific district and precinct. • Early voting is staffed by Elections Division personnel, who are authorized to register individuals to vote. Polling places are staffed by volunteers, who must rely on Elections Division staff to complete the registration process for late voter registration applicants. Given the aforementioned differences, if you utilize late voter registration services on Election Day you should allow for extra time to complete the process and be prepared to report to another polling place to cast a ballot, if you are not already in the correct polling place based on your residence (physical) address. Q: What documents do I need to bring with me to complete the late voter registration process? A: Late voter registration applicants should bring one (1) of the following forms of acceptable physical identification: • Hawai`i Driver License; • Hawai`i State ID; • Military ID; • Passport; or • Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government issued document showing the applicant's name and address. Q: Can I complete the late voter registration process at early voting but vote at the polls on Election Day? A: No. Anyone completing the late voter registration process at early voting must vote on the same day, immediately after registering to vote. Q: How long will it take to complete the late voter registration process? A: If completed at early voting, the late voter registration process should take approximately 5-10 minutes from the time the applicant submits a properly completed voter registration affidavit. The process will likely take at least 20-30 minutes if completed at the polls on Election Day due to the different process administered at the polls. (27-July-18) Late Voter Registration and Early Voting Frequently Asked Questions Q: In 2016 I voted at the polls, since that time I moved and live in another residence, can I still vote at the same polling place? A: Pursuant to State law, you must vote at the polling place in the area where you currently reside. If you are unsure of your polling place or would like to confirm, please contact the Elections Division at 241-4800. You could also take advantage of the Early Voting Services and cast your ballot at the Historic County Annex from July 30, 2018 to August 9, 2018 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Q: I am scheduled to work on the day of the Election, can I just go to the closest polling place to my job and vote? A: No, voters are required to vote at the polling place designated for the area in which they physically reside. However, voters are entitled to a maximum of two consecutive hours off from work, excluding lunch or rest periods, in order to vote. Voters shall not be subject to any penalty, rescheduling of normal hours, or deductions from salary or wages because of such absence. The law does not apply to employees whose work hours include a period of two consecutive hours while the polls are open when the employee is not working for the employer. Polling place hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. An employer may make appropriate deductions from the salary or wages of an employee who takes time off to vote but fails to do so during the time allotted. Retain your ballot stub as proof of voting. Voters can also take advantage of the Early Voting Services offered July 30, 2018 to August 9, 2018 at the Historic County Annex between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Q: Do I have to provide any justification or reason for utilizing the Early Voting Services? A: No, all registered voters may utilize Early Voting Services as long as they have not already returned a voted absentee mail ballot. (27-July-18)