Today is the last day for voters in the Honolulu City Council's 5th District to cast their ballots using a voting machine at the city clerk's office on the first floor of City Hall.

They'll have until 4 p.m. to do so.

Otherwise, voters can drop off their mail-in ballots at City Hall by 6 p.m. Friday. The results are expected to be announced shortly thereafter.

Today and tomorrow, the clerk's office will have regular work hours from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

City Elections Officer Glen Takahashi said that beginning today, voters wishing to submit their ballots should do so by hand-delivering them to the clerk's office rather than mailing them to ensure they arrive in time to be counted.

Takahashi said that as of the close of business yesterday, 17,469 ballots had been received. That's roughly 35 percent of the 49,851 ballots mailed out July 17.

The recent 3rd District special election saw a turnout of about 45 percent.

This special election will determine which of 14 candidates will serve out the remaining 3 1/2 years of the term of Councilman Duke Bainum, who died June 9.

The district includes Manoa, Makiki, Ala Moana, McCully-Mo'ili'ili, Kapahulu, St. Louis Heights and Palolo.