Election brings more than its fair share of challenges

Maui County candidates stepping into this year’s political arena are facing challenges like no other.

There’s a worldwide health crisis that’s found its second wind, an economy that’s been crippled by the pandemic and a community struggling with business closures and the loss of jobs.

The ideas the candidates bring to the table will help lead the county toward recovery in the coming crucial years. In this election publication, voters can get to know the candidates — their hometowns, their volunteer experience, their solutions.

This year, one state Senate seat and six House seats are up for grabs, along with all nine Maui County Council seats. Races in which candidates need to win in the Aug. 8 primary to advance — the Lanai, West Maui, Kahului and Makawao-Haiku-Paia residency seats on the council, and Districts 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 in the state Legislature — are featured in this issue. Because Districts 8 and 12 have only Democratic candidates, the winner of the primary will win the seat.

More candidates will be featured in the lead up to the Nov. 3 general election.

One big change this year is the shift to an all-mail voting system — a timely transition in light of the pandemic.

Eligible voters should receive a packet containing a ballot, a ballot secrecy sleeve and a return ballot envelope with prepaid postage and voting instructions.

If you have not received a ballot, call the Maui County Clerk’s Office at 270-7749. To register to vote or check your registration status, visit olvr.hawaii.gov or call the Clerk’s Office.

Once you’ve received your packet, read the instructions, fill out the ballot and seal it in the secret ballot sleeve. Then, place the sleeve in the return envelope, read the affirmation statement and sign the envelope before returning it to the Clerk’s Office. Voters must sign the return envelope in order for the ballot to be counted.

Voters turning in their ballots by mail should do so three to five days before the election. Ballots can also be returned to designated deposit locations or the Clerk’s Office, which is located at at the county building, 200 South High St., Room 708, Wailuku.

There will be 15 deposit locations at fire stations and community centers across the county. For hours of operation at each location, visit elections.hawaii.gov/voterservice-centers-and-placesof-deposit/.

Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Each county will still have voter service centers available for in-person voting, same-day voter registration and collection of completed ballots. From Monday to Aug. 7, these centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will be located at: ≤ Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, 395 Waena St., Wailuku. ≤ Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai. ≤ Lanai Police Station Conference Room, 855 Fraser Ave., Lanai City. For additional information, contact the County Clerk’s Office or the Office of Elections by email at elections@hawaii.gov or by phone at (800) 442-VOTE (8683), toll free from the Neighbor Islands.