Neighborhood Board Elections results released

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Voting for the 2011 Neighborhood Board Elections ran from May 2 to 21. This was the second year elections were strictly digital.

Eligible voters received past codes in the mail, which allowed them to cast votes online or over the telephone.

According to the Neighborhood Commission Office, 13,269 voters took advantage of the new digital voting system, with a participating rate of 8.5 -- two percent higher than last year.

"Not only are we pleased that the voter participation rate rose, we cite Koolauloa Subdistrict two's 22.7 percent participation rate as proof that the digital election method is viable," Neighborhood Commission Executive Secretary Tom Heinrich said.

There are 33 boards across Oahu with 439 seats. The election filled 379 of the seats, 60 did not have residents apply as candidates. The boards may appoint qualified residents before the term starts on July 1.

The digital method for elections saved the City $100,000 in this years budget.

The NCO says they are trying to make the online elections user friendly to raise the participation percent.

To view results of the election visit http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/.