Hundreds of polling place volunteers still needed for primary election

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state is putting out a plea: They need volunteers for primary election day.

The state Office of Elections said around 400 volunteers are still needed for polling sites across Oahu.

The office had hoped to get about 4,000 to help with the election.

If the number of volunteers falls short Saturday, polling places will still open as planned.

But state Rep. Matt LoPresti worries about repeat of the 2014 election, which was marred by ballot shortages and counting delays. He's running for the Senate seat in Ewa Beach, which is one of many contested races.

"It's a potential for disaster. It's the first year that we're allowing people to register on the same day to vote," he said.

His opponent said she's not worried.

"No look, 60 percent of the voters in this district have mailed in absentee ballots. If they didn't get it mailed in they can take that ballot, seal it up and walk into any polling place," said Alicia Maluafiti.

The state's Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago agreed. He said the shortage is not as bad as the last general election, when they were short 500 volunteers.

"If we don't get those people ... what we'll do is we'll shift those people and move them around to make sure all polling stations are covered," Nago said.

Interested in volunteering? Training is provided for free. You must be at least 16, be able to read and write English, and be registered to vote in Hawaii.

You don't necessarily have to be a volunteer at a polling place in your district.

To sign up to help, call the Office of Elections at (808) 453-8683 or sign up online at elections.hawaii.gov.

The following polling places are in need of volunteers:

Manoa/Punchbowl McKinley Community School for Adults Noelani Elementary School Lincoln Elementary School Stevenson Middle School McKinley High School Central Middle School

Kalihi Kaewai Elementary Kalihi Elementary School

Moanalua/Aiea Moanalua Middle School Aiea High School

Waipahu Waipahu Intermediate School Crestview Community Park Kanoelani Elementary School

Mauka Lani Mauka Lani Elementary School

Wahiawa/North Shore Waialua Elementary School Wahiawa Middle School

Windward Kahaluu Elementary School Kaneohe Elementary School Maunawili Elementary School

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