Common Cause Hawaii Reminds Voters “Election Night is not Results Night”

Election officials expect to have over five hundred thousand ballots to count if 2020 turnout numbers hold 

Honolulu, HI — Hawaii voters have until 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Nov. 8 to cast a ballot in person or to hand return their mail ballot in the 2022 midterm election. As voters head to the polls, Common Cause Hawaii is reminding the public that it may several days for election officials to finalize results.  

“It’s crucial every voice is heard in this election and that means counting every vote,” said Heather Ferguson, director of state operations for Common Cause Hawaii. “It takes time to count every vote accurately and that’s why election night is not results night. Even if we don’t know the election winners when we go to bed, what matters most is making sure every voter’s ballot is counted accurately.”

Before election officials can begin counting ballots, they must first process ballots, which includes checking to make sure the declaration on the outside of the envelope is signed by the voter, that the signature matches the signature on file, and that the voter is on the absentee or mail-in ballot list. 

Hawaii is one of 10 states that permit election workers to begin processing and counting ballots before Election Day.  

“Even though we may not know the election winners when we go to bed, what matters most is making sure every eligible voter’s ballot is counted accurately,” said Ferguson. 

In 2020, 69.6% of Hawaii voters turned out to vote, with over five hundred thousand ballots cast. If voter turnout numbers hold, Hawaii can expect to see similar numbers again in this year’s midterm election.