Lorraine Inouye: ‘Not Satisfied This Election Was Fair and Legal’

News Release from Lorraine Inouye SD4 Candidate August 12, 2012

Under normal circumstances, I would have conceded the Senate District 4 race to Senator Malama Solomon last night.

However, due to the closeness of my race, I am in the process of fact finding to determine if Office of Elections adhered to proper and legal election procedures and whether or not our voters were denied their right to vote.

I will also be looking into any other irregularities by The Office of Elections that may have impacted the outcome, not only of my race but other races as well.

I am not fully satisfied that this election was fair and legal.

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COMPLAINT

Aloha Mr. Nago, August 12, 2012 10:54AM

I am Lorraine Rodero Inouye, a candidate for the Senate District 4 race.

Under normal circumstances, I would have conceded the Senate District 4 race to Senator Malama Solomon last night.

However, due to the closeness of my race, I am in the process of fact finding to determine if your Office of Elections adhered to proper and legal election procedures and whether or not our voters were denied their right to vote.

I will also be looking into any other irregularities by The Office of Elections that may have impacted the outcome, not only of my race but other races as well.

Please be advised that I am seeking legal counsel in conjunction of filing a formal complaint with the Office of Elections.

Please feel free to contact me at 808 430-4230 should there be any questions.

Mahalo,

Lorraine R. Inouye

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Lorraine Inouye Likely Filing Election Protest

BINC: Lorraine Rodero Inouye says she is considering filing a formal challenge to Saturday’s election results. After the final calculation was done, Inouye lost her bid for State Senate Seat 4 (Waimea, Kohala) to incumbent Senator Malama Solomon by only 69 votes, 4068 to 3999.

Inouye said Sunday morning she’s taking the action because of reports that many Hawaii Island precincts did not open for voting on time, and turned voters away. Saturday morning, County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi was only acknowledging one opening late, due to “equipment problems,” when there were more than five in West Hawaii alone known to have opened up to 90 or more minutes late. Saturday evening, in an interview with Keoki Kerr on Hawaii News Now, Elections Chief Scott Nago said he believes more than half of the Hawaii Island precincts opened late.

Inouye’s concern is that people who may have voted for her, could not. Although State Senator Josh Green prevailed upon State Elections, the Attorney General, and the Governor to leave Hawaii Island polls open late, the Governor’s proclamation did not come until mid-afternoon. The question is how many voters knew of the extended hours, and whether they actually returned.

read … Protest

Statement from Malama Solomon

Ho’omaika’iana — congratulations to ALL candidates in yesterday’s exciting and hard-fought primaries. I am proud to stand with fellow Hawai’i Democratic Party members in support of our winning nominees, but there are no losers here. Such competitive races only demonstrate the passion, commitment and determination our Party has been known for, for generations.

I would like to also like to recognize and credit the dedicated poll workers on Hawai’i Island, many of whom worked 15-hour days, in order to keep the polling places open and help make sure that as many people as possible had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Once again, my personal thanks and aloha to everyone who has supported us in our campaign—with a special mahalo nui to Lorraine Rodero Inouye for helping us bring home a critically important point: every single vote counts.

We can’t take the election process for granted, or leave it up to “somebody else” to make the decisions for us. Please, encourage your friends and family to register and vote in the General Election. Every single vote counts. Your vote matters. You matter. I believe in you and I appreciate your faith in me.