The state Office of Elections has rejected the candidacy of a city worker who tried to file for a Manoa state House seat at the last minute before Tuesday's deadline, giving the Democratic Party of Hawai'i until this afternoon to come up with another candidate.

Chrystn Eads, an aide to Mayor Mufi Hannemann, was told yesterday that her paperwork was voided because it was incomplete. Eads had attempted to collect the required signatures from registered voters and other material in the hours after state House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), withdrew to run for City Council.

Caldwell has said the elections office was verbally notified on Tuesday of his withdrawal but did not receive his formal withdrawal letter until Wednesday. The elections office has told the party it has 72 hours — ending this afternoon — to find a replacement for Caldwell.

"I respect the process," Eads said last night.

Party officials were meeting privately yesterday and late into the evening on how to respond. The party's House District 24 council will meet this afternoon to discuss a replacement.

"We respect the process and will abide by it," Brian Schatz, the state party chairman, said last night. "We're thankful for the clarification of the law and look forward to moving forward with a replacement candidate."

NOTIFICATION DEADLINE

Under state law, in cases of withdrawal, death or disqualification of a party candidate after filing, the vacancy may be filled by the party. The party must notify the chief elections officer 72 hours after the vacancy occurs.

Earlier in the day, a Caldwell supporter asked the city clerk's office to determine whether Caldwell properly filed his paperwork with the clerk's office before the Tuesday deadline. At least one city worker had signed Caldwell's material after the deadline, but Caldwell has insisted that he had enough valid signatures and that his nomination was complete.

Caldwell entered the council race after City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi announced her plans Tuesday to run for mayor. Former Councilman Duke Bainum, who supports Kobayashi, quickly filed to replace Kobayashi on the council and is potentially challenging Caldwell's paperwork.

The state GOP, meanwhile, had announced yesterday afternoon that Helene Webster, a longtime Republican, had challenged Eads' nomination.

PAPERWORK VOIDED

Jerilyn Jeffryes, a retired medical administrator and community activist who filed as the Republican candidate for the Manoa House seat, said last night that she wanted the elections office to act without her or another Republican having to challenge. She had filed her paperwork on the last day and witnessed the irregularities when Eads filed with the elections office downtown.

Asked whether voiding Eads' paperwork was just, Jeffryes said: "I think it is after what we saw going on in there."

Eads has said she arrived in the office just before 4 p.m. Tuesday and did not begin her paperwork until just before the 4:30 p.m. deadline because of delays as others were filing. She filed her paperwork after the deadline.

Schatz was also present at the time and urged elections officials to err on the side of allowing Eads to file. Republicans have claimed that Eads received special treatment and have questioned why Schatz was talking with elections officials.

"The state Office of Elections made the right decision," said state House Minority Leader Lynn Finnegan, R-32nd (Lower Pearlridge, 'Aiea, Halawa).