HAWAII PETITION TO REMOVE THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER AND TO CONDUCT A FULL AUDIT OF ALL BALLOTS AND ENVELOPES IN 2024 ELECTIONS
What we are Demanding
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The immediate removal of the Chief Elections Officer.
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An independent, transparent, and complete audit of all four counties, including the physical counting of all ballots and all envelopes.
Only a full accounting of ballots and envelopes can restore confidence in the election process.
Unaccounted for ballots was larger than vote difference for many candidates in the two counties. Maui and Oahu refuse to give the data their office collected.
Hawaiʻi State Elections Commission Investigation
On July 16, 2025, the Hawaiʻi State Elections Commission voted to establish a Permitted Interaction Group (P.I.G.) to investigate matters relating to the chain of custody of ballots and reported irregularities in the administration of the 2024 General Election.
Major Findings:
1) Hawai‘i’s Election results based on electronic records are unverifiable. Election, officials withhold the underlying daily data — ballot counts, over-under reports, signature verification logs, and audit data — preventing independent verification.
2) None of the four County Clerk offices have provided “chain-of-custody”records that comply with HAR §3-177-453, and there were more ballots counted in the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) than counties reported collecting.
3) The Office of Elections misleads the public about ballot security and the integrity of elections.
4) The Chief Election Officer did not certify the 2024 General Election results in accordance with the requirements of HRS §11-155.
5) The Elections Commission and the Deputy Attorney General’s office suppressed complaints and evidence of malfeasance.
Recommendations
1) An external, independent manual audit of all ballot envelopes, USPS receipts, and mail-in ballots is required to reconcile ballot discrepancies for the 2024 General Election.
2) Return to in-person voting on paper ballots on Election Day.
3) Terminate the employment of Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago.
Basis for Action:
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County of Hawaii: 19,042 more mail ballots were counted than envelopes received. Video that shows the data HERE and Civil Beat Article
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County of Kauai: 1,450 more mail ballots were counted than envelopes received, and falsified records were submitted to the Hawaii Supreme Court.
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County of Maui: No records documenting ballot collections were provided. In addition election observers noted seven practices that open the door to voting manipulation. Our request for an investigation to the commissioner fell on deaf ears. Submitted report.
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City and County of Honolulu: No records have been provided showing the number of ballots collected.
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The failure to maintain proper chain-of-custody records and the refusal to produce them upon lawful request violate public trust and undermine the credibility of the election process.
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The Chief Elections Officer, Scott Nago, has been gaslighting those who question and is a hindrance to investigate the many vulnerabilities in our election process.. A replacement who serves the people is needed
Our Election Counts Raise Big questions
Video: August 27 Election Commission Meeting.
This video includes:
Great testimonies followed by a contentious meeting among the Election Commissioners. At this meeting, the Election Commission faced strong public testimony echoing longstanding concerns about election integrity and failures to address prior complaints.
Near the end, discussion of agenda item #3 was cut short when Chair Curtis ignored Robert’s Rules and blocked Commissioner Cushine from further discussion of any more issues related to item #3. Chair moved to item #4. One motion passed to audit the Kauai envelopes. Commissioner Cushnie moved to subpoena after-hours ballot entry logs. Although the motion passed among current members, the Chair and Attorney General improperly claimed a higher two-thirds threshold based on the full nine-member panel, including two vacant seats. The Chair then abruptly ended the meeting without a formal adjournment. The next meeting is set for September 24th, your participation is important.
Testify October 1 at 10 am at the HI Elections Commission meeting
Remote Oral Testimony: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83717806035
By Phone: +1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 837 1780 6035
Petition and Testimony Information
Call upon the Hawaii State Elections Commission and appropriate authorities to take immediate action to restore the integrity of our elections by:
1. Removing the Chief Elections Officer.
The Chief Elections Officer has failed in his duty to ensure that Hawaii's elections are conducted in compliance with state law.
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Ballots have been counted without adequate chain-of-custody documentation.
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In some counties, there are no records showing where ballots were collected or how they were transported.
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Statewide, officials cannot explain where certain ballots came from, or why the number of ballots counted exceeds the number of envelopes received.
2. Conducting a Comprehensive Audit.
We demand a full and transparent audit of the 2024 General Election for all four counties, including:
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A reconciliation of every ballot envelope received with every ballot counted.
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A public accounting of discrepancies between county collection logs and the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS).
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An independent examination of electronic records to ensure that ballots were not inserted without a paper trail.
Key Issues Requiring Commission Action
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Ballot Count Discrepancy:
Kauai County reported receiving 26,414 mail ballot envelopes, yet the State’s certified results show 27,075 mail-in votes counted — a difference of 661 ballots. When corrected for inconsistencies in the revised data, the discrepancy increases to 1,486 ballots that remain unaccounted for. -
Chain of Custody Documents were withheld until November 21
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Falsified Records Submitted to the Supreme Court:
Chain of custody records submitted to the Court were revised after the election without proper documentation. For example:-
October 22 USPS Entry was changed from “0” to “3,004” with no date, time, or signature. USPS receipts show only 2,279 pieces were delivered that day. 725 unaccounted ballots
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November 5 Hanalei Entry was changed from “88” to “188,” with no explanation for the error. 100 unaccounted ballots.
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Premature Certification in Violation of HRS §11-155:
Kauai issued Certificates of Election on December 2, 2024, even though the election contest in SCEC-24-0000797 was not resolved until the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court entered judgment on December 20, 2024.
HRS §11-155 states that certification may only occur after the time for contesting results has expired, and only after reconciling certified tabulations. -
Observers Blocked from Verifying Transfers:
Ballot observers in Kauai were not permitted to count or verify the number of ballots being transferred from county custody to the state. -
Unverifiable Audit Methods:
Kauai’s mail-in ballot audit relied solely on electronic ballot images rather than physical ballots and cannot be considered a verifiable audit under any recognized standard. -
Failure to Meet Prima Facie Standard:
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court determined that the records submitted by Kauai County were not sufficient under HRS §11-96, which says that records made by precinct officials shall be accepted as prima facie evidence. Despite this, unverifiable state-level electronic reports were relied upon in court and certification. -
No records required by HAR 3-177-453(b) were received from the county.
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Is Kauai County committing fraud on the public by pretending to keep chain of custody documentation?
Requested Commission Action
I respectfully request the Commission take the following steps:
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Formally review the Kauai County ballot discrepancy and chain of custody irregularities totaling at least 1,450 ballots.
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Did the County of Kauai falsify records?
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Investigate the County’s decision to certify election results while a contest was still pending before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, in direct conflict with HRS §11-155.
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Invite public testimony on this matter during the next scheduled meeting.
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Conduct an audit of the envelopes and ballots.
These are not minor issues. They go to the core of the Commission’s responsibility to ensure lawful, transparent, and trustworthy elections.