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Elections commission forms task force to investigate chain-of-custody discrepancies after widespread public testimony
Summary
After hours of public testimony alleging missing or mishandled ballots, the Hawaii Elections Commission approved a permitted-interaction group (PIG) to investigate chain-of-custody complaints tied chiefly to the Kauai council race and reported discrepancies on the Big Island.
The Hawaii Elections Commission on Wednesday voted to form a permitted-interaction group to investigate complaints about the chain of custody for ballots, after lengthy public testimony raising concerns about missing documentation and unexplained vote totals. The motion passed on a roll call and the commission named commissioners to the group.
Why it matters: Public speakers and several commissioners said the commission needs an independent review of records and procedures after observers and citizens reported missing chain-of-custody logs and unexplained ballot totals — including a figure of 19,042 ballots cited by a commissioner as a discrepancy between county collection records and statewide totals on the Big Island. Commissioners said the PIG’s work will inform a report to the full commission at a later meeting.
What the commission did: Commissioners voted to form the task force after the chair called for a motion. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call (several commissioners voting yes and one voting no); the commission then discussed membership. Commissioner Dylan Andrian agreed to chair the group at the meeting, and commissioners identified additional members to serve; the PIG will gather materials and report back to the full board for discussion at a future meeting.
Public and commission concerns: Dozens of residents and observers urged a formal review. Speakers described missing or inconsistent county records, limited or blocked observation at signature-verification sites, and asserted that everyday safeguards (signed transfer forms, observers at pickups) were incomplete or missing. Commissioner Ralph Cushni (Cushni) summarized the complaint pattern and called for immediate access to supporting records, saying the public had been “stonewalled.” Several speakers specifically cited alleged disparities on Kauai and the Big Island; Cushni described a 19,042-vote discrepancy on the Big Island and said correspondence with postal authorities and county collection logs have not resolved the difference.
Next steps and limits: Commissioners who voted for the PIG said it should review county chain-of-custody documentation, signature-verification logs and county collection records, and recommend next steps. At the meeting the commission received a related report (a separate item) from a previously formed PIG and agreed to publish and discuss that report at the next regular meeting. Commissioners repeatedly noted that the Elections Commission’s power is largely advisory to the chief elections officer and that some follow-up may require cooperation from county clerks or legal advice from the Attorney General’s office.
Quotes: “We have the evidence. We have the collections evidence from the Big Island,” Commissioner Cushni said during public remarks. Several public testifiers said they would welcome an independent review: “If the investigation comes up that something was done wrong, that’s fine. If it comes up that something wasn’t done wrong, then that’s fine too,” testifier Andy Crossland said.
What’s not resolved: The PIG will determine what records can be obtained and whether the commission needs to pursue subpoenas or other means to secure documentation. Commissioners and public speakers asked for transparency about who holds records and for timely answers to long-pending requests.
Votes and outcome: The motion to form the permitted-interaction group passed on roll call. The commission recorded an affirmative majority and one recorded no vote; the chair announced, “This motion passes.” The commission asked the PIG to report back at the next scheduled meeting so the full body can discuss findings and any recommended actions.
Ending: The PIG’s findings will be posted with the commission’s agenda materials before the next meeting; commissioners said they expect the group to prioritize chain-of-custody documents, postal correspondence, vault or secure-storage access logs and signature-verification material.
