Lava expected to cut off Pahoa polling place

Voters who live north of the lava flow and are assigned to the Pahoa Community Center polling place are being told to vote at Hawaiian Paradise Park on Election Day or vote absentee, Chief Election Officer Scott Nago said Tuesday.

"The flow is expected to cross Highway 130, cutting off access to voters living in Ainaloa and Orchidlands Estates," Nago said. "We’ll be providing poll workers at Hawaiian Paradise Community Center with the poll books and ballots to allow voters in these communities the opportunity to vote on Nov. 4."  

Nago estimates that about 2,000 voters are affected by this move. Voters that still have access to the Pahoa Community Center may still vote there.

In preparation for the lava flow, county election officials mailed absentee mail applications to voters in the area and set-up an early vote location at Nanawale Community Center which is open through Friday. 

Tuesday is the last day to request for an absentee ballot by mail in next Tuesday’s General Election. Absentee applications must be received by the County Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. Applications are available at post offices, libraries, satellite city hall, county clerk offices or online at www.hawaii.gov/elections.