Question: When and where can the absentee ballots be dropped off? I know the ballot can be mailed in the prepaid postage envelope provided, but I do not like the idea of having my signature, name and address on the outside of the envelope for whoever to see. Why can’t the signature part be on the inside yellow envelope?
Answer: For the primary election on Oahu, absentee mail ballots may be dropped off at two early voting locations — Honolulu Hale (City Hall, 530 S. King St.) or Kapolei Hale (1000 Uluohia St.) — between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, July 28 to Aug. 7, or at a polling place on primary Election Day, Aug. 9.
Primary election absentee ballots can also be dropped off now until Aug. 8 at the offices of the county clerks at Honolulu Hale and on the neighbor islands during regular business hours, weekdays only, said Glen Takahashi, Honolulu’s election administrator.
(Early voting for the Nov. 4 general election is Monday through Saturday, Oct. 21 to Nov. 1.)
On Oahu in 2012, more than 86,000 people voted by absentee ballot in the primary, and 113,000 did so in the general election, Takahashi said.
So far this year, his office has sent out 111,000 absentee ballots requested for the primary election, he said Thursday.
Voters have until Aug. 2 to request absentee ballots.
Based on that, "We’re definitely going to exceed that number (of absentee voters) this time around," he said.
Privacy Concerns
As to why the signature is not asked for on the inside envelope: Doing so would defeat the purpose of having that yellow envelope, which is provided to ensure secrecy of the ballot, Takahashi said.
"Once the yellow envelope and contents are separated from the blue return envelope that contains the voter’s information, votes cannot be traced back to that voter," he explained. "Obviously, printing personal voter information on the yellow secrecy envelope would defeat this purpose."
Takahashi said he understands your concern, and voters can do certain things to ensure their comfort and safeguard personal information besides dropping off the ballot at a polling place.
"For example, if the voter is concerned with mail being illegally removed from their home delivery mailbox, they should consider returning the ballot using a secure postal receptacle or dropping off their absentee ballot directly at the clerk’s office," he said.
Another option is to put the completed ballot and yellow and blue envelopes inside another envelope for mailing.
However, the ballot must be returned with the signed affirmation on the blue return envelope, he said. And the voter is responsible for the postage.
For information, go to www.honoluluelections.org.
Mahalo
To Honolulu police Cpl. Mark Hozaki and officer Paula Harris for the assistance they provided to the community in Maunawili on Sunday morning. There is a section of Maunawili Road that leads to the back homes that is narrow. Before the first bridge there is a private dirt road that connects to it. During rain, muddy water flows from the dirt road onto Maunawili Road. It is a common occurrence and usually just a nuisance to drivers. It was a different story last weekend during torrential rain. Opposite the dirt road was a giant patch of mud and rocks covering the entire outgoing lane, more than 10 feet long and 10 to 12 inches deep. The mud patch was located on a turn and created a safety hazard to drivers. The HPD officers took turns directing traffic and digging out the mud with a shovel to the side of the road. Their efforts mitigated the hazard and were very much appreciated!
— Michael O’Sullivan
Mahalo
To the kind woman in a flowered blouse who saw me searching for my car in the open parking area at Kahala Mall back in June and flagged down a security guard to assist me. But for you, I’d still be there. Bless you!
— Grateful Senior
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
