Lava prompts election officials to mail absentee voting applications

A river of pahoehoe lava flows May 19 inside Leilani Estates. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP)

The State Office of Elections and the Hawaii County Elections Division on Monday announced they will be mailing absentee voting applications to more than 6,000 voters assigned to Pahoa Community Center (precinct 04-03) and Pahoa High/Intermediate (precinct 04-04) due to the uncertain nature of the volcanic eruption in lower Puna.