Abercrombie Calls For Election Probe, All-Mail Voting

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has asked the state’s attorney general to investigate the state Office of Elections and the circumstances that resulted in dozens of polling places running out of ballots during the Nov. 6 general election.

Abercrombie said he will also be proposing to the state Legislature that Hawaii move towards all-mail voting.

The governor noted that there has been a steady increase in Hawaii voters’ use of mailed absentee ballots.

He also said that 100% mail-in voting has been effectively used in other parts of the country. Currently, two states do so: Oregon, which established it through a voter initiative in 1998, and Washington, where it was approved last year by that state’s legislature.

“At a minimum, we must consider new technologies that can help bring our election process into the 21st Century,” Abercrombie said.

In the general election about two dozen Oahu precincts ran out of ballots, and Abercrombie said rather than wait for the elections office’s own review he wants Attorney General David Louie to investigate why.

“This serious problem has tarnished the election process and eroded public confidence,”  Abercrombie said in a statement issued this afternoon.

“The right to vote is one of our most cherished duties as U.S. citizens. Therefore, we must ensure that our voting process runs smoothly and efficiently.”