A defeated City Council candidate contends his opponent broke campaign laws by posting signs too close to polling places on primary election day as a way to influence undecided voters in the district, many of whom are seniors.
In a complaint filed this week with the Hawaii Supreme Court, Martin Rana Han also said that opponent Joey Manahan, the current state House vice speaker, who won the race outright in the primary for Council District 7 (Kalihi, Sand Island, Salt Lake, Hickam AFB, Ford Island), had a high amount of absentee ballots returned in his favor.
Manahan, who received 7,122 votes in the primary, or 58 percent, denied any wrongdoing by him or his campaign.
Han received 3,469 votes, or 28 percent, and a third candidate, Lillian Hong, received 1,784 votes, or 14 percent.
In Council races with more than two candidates, one can win outright in the primary by garnering more than 50 percent. If not, the top two face off in the general election.
Han is asking the court to place his name on the ballot for the general election and have the state Office of Elections investigate the absentee ballots for accuracy and authenticity.
According to the complaint, Manahan had placed campaign banners within 200 feet of two polling places: Likelike Elementary and Moanalua High schools. The signs were reported to authorities, but were not taken down until 9:30 a.m. near Moanalua and 11 a.m. near Likelike. Han contends this was done deliberately to influence voters, many of whom are retired seniors who tend to vote soon after polls open at 7 a.m.
He alleges that "a substantial number of voters saw defendant Manahan’s signage immediately prior to voting."
Han said he also contested the outcome after hearing "numerous complaints" from residents that they were visited by Manahan and Councilman Romy Cachola, the winner in the race for House District 30 (Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport), before the primary. The complaint says Cachola and Manahan received higher-than-average numbers of absentee ballots cast in their favor. Cachola currently represents the area on the City Council.
"That’s what we wanted to address, and that’s why we’re filing this," Han said. "It’s not really about me losing."
The complaint does not cite any specific instances of voters being pressured.
Manahan denied the charges. "I am absolutely confident we won fair and square," Manahan said in an email statement. "Our campaign has always been transparent, and I am sure that the Office of Elections will find no violations."
Cachola did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
