LIHU‘E — Jaye Yamaguchi-Chun, U.S. Postal Service carrier of the Lihu‘e post office, handed off about four to six trays of general election mail-in ballots across the street at the Office of the County Clerk Elections Division office on Monday morning, while Julin Rivera, Lihu‘e postmaster, advises residents to mail in their ballots by Friday, Oct. 30.
LIHU‘E — Jaye Yamaguchi-Chun, U.S. Postal Service carrier of the Lihu‘e post office, handed off about four to six trays of general election mail-in ballots across the street at the Office of the County Clerk Elections Division office on Monday morning, while Julin Rivera, Lihu‘e postmaster, advises residents to mail in their ballots by Friday, Oct. 30.
State elections officials, however, suggested Tuesday, Oct. 27 as the mailing deadline, to ensure ballots reach their respective county clerks before the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 deadline.
With 29 staff on board, Rivera said her team has been working around the clock to communicate with each other on how to handle election ballots.
“So far it’s going good,” Rivera said. “In preparation, our employees are 100% engaged. We continuously speak with them on the elections to make sure that we can ensure a successful election.”
Rivera said her Lihu‘e staff has been working constantly with other U.S. Postal Service locations around the island and have been working with county officials prior to this election season.
“I just want to thank the people of Kaua‘i for their continued support, and to thank staff members at every U.S. Postal Service location on the island for their collaborations and diligence in issuing us a successful election,” Rivera said. “We work hand-in-hand with election officials. We meet months in advance to prep for this and line it up for a successful election.”
Normally, the Lihu‘e post office does not receive late ballots. However, should the Lihu‘e post office receive late ballots, Rivera said they would get them over to the elections office.
According to Rivera, a ballot is dropped off at any U.S. Postal Service facility, whether it be in a collection box, across the window or to one of the carriers.
Rivera said the ballots are pulled out, separated and secured. Then they are sent to Lihu‘e post office for further processing before they are delivered to the elections office.
Earlier this month, registered voters should have received their mail-in ballots, and Rivera said they have been receiving thousands of ballots throughout the weeks, and will continue to make sure they are doing their part and handing off all of the ballots to the elections office on time.
For info on how to vote, see kauai.gov/elections.
