Elections commission forms task force to investigate chain-of-custody complaints after public pressure

The Hawaii Elections Commission voted to establish a permitted interaction group — a temporary task force — to investigate complaints related to chain of custody for ballots, including discrepancies reported in several county vote totals from the 2024 elections.

After extensive public testimony alleging ballot handling irregularities, Commissioner Dylan Andrian was named chair of the new task force and Commissioners Lindsay Kam and Ralph Kushni were appointed as members. The motion to form the group passed on a roll call with seven votes in favor and one opposed.

Public testifiers urged a thorough investigation. Several speakers referenced numerical discrepancies: testifiers and commission members cited a difference of 19,042 ballots on the Big Island between county collection records and statewide totals and reporting of roughly 1,500–3,000 unaccounted ballots on Kauai. Commissioner Kushni told the commission he believed ballots had been “inserted electronically” and asked for a task force that would gather evidence and report back. He said, in the meeting transcript, “Scott Nago has been caught inserting ballots electronically,” attributing that allegation to his review of records and asking the commission to investigate.

Other members and speakers asked for a transparent, documented process for the task force and for any findings to be reported publicly. Several speakers suggested independent audits and subpoena authority if necessary to obtain records from county election offices or the Office of Elections.

Roll-call on the motion to form a permitted interaction group to investigate chain of custody (as captured during the meeting): Commissioner Dylan Andrian — Yes; Commissioner Ralph Kushni — Yes; Commissioner Lindsay Cam — Yes; Commissioner Claire McAdam — Yes; Commissioner Jeffrey Osterkamp — No; Commissioner Kaheolani Papalimu — Yes; Commissioner Peter Young — Yes; Chair Michael Curtis — Yes. The chair announced the motion passes.

The commission asked the new group to collect relevant records, review county chain-of-custody forms, compare county collection documentation with statewide tallies and prepare a report for the full commission at a future meeting. Commissioners discussed possible remote work by the group and a target for reporting back within weeks; the group’s exact schedule and any request for subpoenas or external audits were left to the task force to recommend.

Ending

The task force’s formation represented the commission’s strongest step at the meeting to date toward responding to public allegations about ballot handling. The investigation’s next steps — document collection, possible subpoenas and the task force’s findings — will shape whether the commission recommends further administrative or legislative action.