Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago said today that voters assigned to Pahoa Community Center (district and precinct 04-03) who live north of the lava flow are instructed to vote at Hawaiian Paradise Community Center (district and precinct 04-01) on general election day.

“The flow is expected to cross Highway 130, cutting off access to voters living in Ainaloa and Orchidlands Estates,” Nago said in a press release. “We’ll be providing poll workers at Hawaiian Paradise Community Center with the poll books and ballots to allow voters in these communities the opportunity to vote on November 4.”

Nago said about 2,000 voters are affected by the move. Voters that still have access to the Pahoa Community Center may still vote there.

Voting in the Puna district on the Big Island for the rescheduled primary, Aug. 15.

PF Bentley/Civil Beat

In preparation for the lava flow, Hawaii County election officials say they have mailed absentee mail applications to voters in the area and set up an early voting location at Nanawale Community Center, which is open through this Friday.

This latest move is meant to ensure access to voters who choose to vote on Election Day, which is a week from today.

“Election officials remind voters that today is the last day to request for an absentee ballot,” according to the press release. “Absentee applications must be received by the County Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. today.”

Applications are available at post offices, libraries, satellite city hall, county clerk offices and online.

Voters in Puna district precincts 04-01 and 04-02 were not able to vote in the Aug. 9 primary due to Tropical Storm Iselle. The election for those precincts was held a week later.