A meeting Tuesday with Big Island County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi about Saturday’s election problems did not provide enough answers for state election officials who are now conducting their own investigation. Chief Election Officer Scott Nago met Tuesday in Hilo with all of the state’s county clerks and most of the counties’ chief election administrators. State elections spokesman Rex Quidilla said today that such a meeting is typically done after an election to review procedures and problems. While Big Island County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi attended, Hawai`i County’s interim elections administrator, Arlene Boteilho did not. According to Quidilla, Kawauchi did not give a reason why. Boteilho reportedly went out on sick leave before Saturday’s primary election. She had been named the temporary replacement for Pat Nakamato, the county’s longtime elections administrator who was fired early this year. Nakamoto was reinstated to her job following a union grievance procedure but was placed by Kawauchi on paid administrative leave immediately upon her return in late July.
Quidilla said because Kawauchi did not provide specific information Tuesday about problems encountered during Saturday’s primary, the state elections office is currently interviewing precinct officials. “We’re doing our own follow-up with the precinct chairs,” he said, which includes reviewing each polling place’s log which show when the precincts opened and other activities. “We hope to conclude that by the end of the week.”
Full Article: State Election Officials Conducting Own Investigation | Big Island Now.