Hawaii Elections Commission Faces Calls for Voting Reform and Accountability Amid Controversy

Concerns over election integrity took center stage at the Hawaii Elections Commission meeting on August 27, 2025, as multiple testifiers voiced their frustrations regarding alleged discrepancies in voting processes. Magesa William Dennis highlighted the investigation into 19,000 missing votes on the Big Island, asserting that these could have significantly impacted election outcomes. He called for accountability, urging anyone involved in election fraud to resign or become whistleblowers.

Dennis's testimony echoed a broader sentiment among attendees, many of whom criticized mail-in voting and electronic voting machines as insecure. He proposed a return to in-person voting with voter ID requirements and hand-counted ballots, emphasizing the need for transparency in the electoral process.

Susan Strom and other testifiers echoed these concerns, questioning the integrity of the current voting system and calling for independent audits. Strom specifically criticized the perceived politicization of the courts and the ongoing use of high-risk voting methods, urging the commission to expedite reforms rather than recycle discussions at each meeting.

The meeting also saw calls for the resignation of Scott Nago, the state's chief election officer, with several speakers arguing that his leadership has contributed to a lack of trust in the electoral system. Testifiers expressed a desire for immediate action to restore public confidence in elections, with some suggesting that the county should have its own election processes separate from state oversight.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for reform was palpable, with many attendees insisting that the integrity of Hawaii's elections is crucial for the future of democracy in the state. The commission faces mounting pressure to address these issues swiftly, as the next election cycle approaches.