Hawaii election officials ran accuracy tests on vote-counting machines before mail-in ballots go out, a routine step meant to reassure voters that the count is clean.

• Volunteer observers from the community, not election staff, marked test ballots and checked the machines against the results.
• Neighbor island testing already wrapped up, and ballots are now going out statewide.
• Voters are being told to check their registration, sign the return envelope, and send ballots back early.
• Ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on November 3, and in-person voting centers open on all major islands October 20.

Outlook: Ballots land in mailboxes over the coming days, with in-person voting opening in about two weeks.