In May 2021, the Honolulu City Council held a hearing where City Clerk Glen Takahashi defended his position, particularly focusing on his role managing elections on Oahu. This came on the heels of the 2020 general election, during which many voters experienced considerable wait times, often standing in line for hours in both Honolulu and Kapolei to cast their votes. Takahashi noted, “There is a saying that you cannot measure what you cannot or have not measured,” emphasizing that the experience during the 2020 election highlighted the services voters truly require and the pressure on election officials.
Fast forward to four years later, and voters on Oahu faced strikingly similar issues during the most recent election, with long queues and delayed results becoming the norm once again. Despite enhancing certain measures like increased media outreach and the addition of voting booths, the county elections office struggled to accommodate the influx of approximately 8,000 voters who turned out at just two polling locations on Election Day.
A review of public budget records and interviews with council members indicated that the clerk’s office had not requested significant increases in resources or funding ahead of the upcoming 2024 election. Specifically, there was no initiative to establish additional voter centers, despite Takahashi’s earlier claims of limited resources. However, when speaking with Civil Beat, he asserted, “We’re amply funded,” igniting concerns from voters and experts alike about the adequacy of this limited infrastructure.
Voting system experts, advocates for voting rights, and a growing number of lawmakers echoed the sentiment that having only two voting locations for an island with a population nearing a million was insufficient. Phil Keisling, a former secretary of state for Oregon, remarked that such a setup seemed illogical for a populated area, urging local officials to rethink their strategy.
In comparison to other mail-voting states, which typically adjust the number of voting centers based on their populations, Oahu’s election setup appears lacking. Recent proposals by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to increase voting centers based on island populations have not gained traction, often dying without any hearings.
According to analyses from the National Vote at Home Institute, other mail-voting states maintain a ratio of one voting center for every 30,000 to 70,000 active voters. Applying a similar model to Oahu’s recent turnout suggests the need for between four to ten centers on Election Day, highlighting the disparity with cities like Denver that boast significantly more centers per voters.
Experts suggest that a well-designed system with multiple voting options is critical, particularly in a mail-voting landscape like Hawaii’s. The consensus stresses the importance of having sufficient resources to manage the demand on Election Day effectively.
Budget trends since 2021 indicate modest increases mainly focused on collective bargaining for staff raises, while the overall budget for the Honolulu Elections Division has remained relatively stable, hovering around $2.5 million. Although the budget increased to $4.5 million this year, Takahashi clarified that this was more about accounting changes than new funding for additional resources.
Insufficient staff levels hinder operations at voting centers, creating longer wait times for voters. This year, officials increased polling booths at one location but acknowledged limitations at others, particularly due to space constraints. Temporary workers were recruited at $17 an hour, but a lack of staffing could also hinder the operation of additional centers.
Addressing the line issue, Takahashi noted that Election Day holds unpredictability in peak voting hours, making it difficult to prepare effectively. The small number of booths at certain locations could easily become overwhelmed by demand, particularly on busy days.
Officials can formally request additional resources each March, yet even after past Election Day line issues, Takahashi did not seek enough funding for extra service centers. Instead, his focus shifted to promoting early voting and mail-in ballots. Council members, while acknowledging these concerns, noted the need to familiarize the public further with mail-in processes before investing in new physical locations.
Some voters expressed reluctance to vote early due to concerns about ballot security, with many opting for in-person voting instead. A few reported long wait times, experiencing discomfort about the integrity of their votes. Political expert Colin Moore suggested that rather than pressuring voters into mail-in ballots, officials should work to accommodate those who prefer in-person voting, particularly given the service challenges witnessed in previous years.
In earlier recommendations, Common Cause Hawaii proposed establishing 15 additional voting centers across Oahu, targeting underserved areas that current centers fail to reach. Their suggested locations took into account various demographic and geographic factors, such as population density and voter accessibility.
The experience from recent elections has underscored the community’s need for more accessible voting options as demand continues to grow. Observers believe it is imperative that local officials jumpstart discussions on necessary improvements in voter accessibility and outreach immediately.