State’s highest court rules incumbent Maui councilmember won seat in key race

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The fight over a major Maui Council seat is over.

The justices have ruled that incumbent Maui councilmember Alice Lee did win her seat in November’s General Election.

The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding the battle for the Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu-seat on Thursday.

Her opponent Noelani Ahia filed a lawsuit following the election, claiming the Maui County Clerk mishandled hundreds of ballots.

Ahia alleged that they did not give hundred of voters enough time to fix their deficient ballots.

The higher court agreed with Ahia that the clerk waited too long — just 4 days before the deadline — to notify nearly 200 voters about their ballots.

However, according to court documents the justices said any mistake by the clerk “would not change the outcome of the election.”

It was determined Lee won the majority of votes cast, beating Ahia by approximately 500 votes.

Related Coverage:

• State’s highest court considers call for new election in key Maui Council race
• Pending lawsuit over vote counting protocols keeps major Maui County Council seat vacant

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