Election Day: Kauaʻi voters randomly polled express support for Trump

A long line formed late Tuesday morning as Kauaʻi residents gathered outside the Voter Service Center at the Historic County Annex Building in Līhuʻe to cast their votes in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

As of 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, the County of Kauaʻi Elections Division said 22,297 mail-in and 2,597 in-person ballots had been counted.

“This is way more than the primary,” a representative with the office said, noting that is expected in a presidential election.

Although Hawaiʻi historically votes blue, 12 people were randomly polled outside the line in Līhuʻe and all but one person said they were voting for former President Donald Trump.

Mike Vannoy, a former member of the military, said he had “absolutely” voted for Trump after placing his ballot in an election box.

“I just don’t believe what’s happened the last four years is good for this country,” he said. “I don’t think he’s the best guy in the world but … he’s the best we’ve got.”

Rachel Fitzpatrick, who lives in Wailua, also shared she was voting for Trump.

“It’s the first time I’m voting Republican in my life,” she said. “So, that’s kind of a big difference for me.”

Fitzpatrick said her reason was due to the “economic situation” of the country. But she didn’t agree with “every single platform” Trump has, including abortion.

“As a woman, it’s a little bit difficult,” she said.

Kauaʻi resident Chris, who declined to share his last name, was the only person polled outside the line who said he was voting for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I have Haitian heritage,” Chris said, when discussing the reasoning behind his vote.

He referred to Trump’s baseless claims about Haitian migrants, including immigrants eating cats and dogs. “This country is built on immigration,” he said.

Insurance sales agent Michael Albatrosov also shared he was voting for Trump. “I know it’s kind of meaningless to do that in Hawai’i. “But I agree with most of his positions, and I think this country needs change.”

One woman, who requested to remain anonymous, said immigration was a big part of her reason for voting for Trump.

“That’s a big part of my thing because I’m not comfortable on island anymore because there’s new people,” she said. Her husband, who also declined to share his name, also said he was voting for Trump.

Another conservative woman, who also requested to remain anonymous, said she voted for Trump for the the “future of our country.”

“I think this is the most critical election of our time,” she said. She added that the path of Democratic party will create a “communistic country.”

Chris Butano, along with his wife, also said he was voting for Trump.

“Lower taxes, lower prices, lower fuel costs, secure borders,” he said. “If you don’t vote red, there’s something wrong with ya,” he added.

Kaua’i resident Maria, who declined to share her last name, said she would put her “vote for God,” just before walking up to the line to vote. “My vote is going to represent godly values,” she said.

Maria clarified that she was voting for Trump, with many issues having influenced her vote, including inflation, taxes, borders and abortion. She said that there was “nothing godly” in Harris’s abortion policies.

Voters have until 7 p.m. tonight to get their ballots in. Aside from voting in-person at the Election Office in Līhuʻe, ballots can be dropped off at nine different locations around the island. Drop boxes will also close at 7 p.m.