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After both our polls were published, a lot of reactions surfaced in our discussion community. Some were surprised, some enlightened and some felt like it was business as usual. But nonetheless, people were talking. Between the articles, posts, fact checks and polls, we hope to have supplied enough resources for you to feel confident in your vote. But if you still need some help in deciding, make sure to join us this Saturday as our live blog connects you to all the happenings around the election.

Otherwise, we’ll see you back on our homepage tomorrow for live results and findings as they come in. Don’t forget to vote!

Gubernatorial Race

Civil Beat Poll: Abercrombie on Top, Hannemann in Trouble

• Andrew Astolfi found the polls fascinating, and not just for the election.

“This poll is fascinating. Not just for its findings, but also for what it says about the fourth estate in Hawaii. If Civil Beat calls it right (which they did in the special Congressional race) they will have really blown away the competition. The depth of these election stories, the willingness to actually commission a poll close to the election, the detail on fundraising, all of it is much better than the Star-Advertiser’s coverage on this election. Strikingly better. Am I the only one who thinks this? If this is a commonly held feeling what does it mean for the SA? I like newsprint on my fingers, but I like content better…”

• After taking a look at our poll, David Briscoe wondered where Mufi’s supporters went.

“I do not totally discount the accuracy of the CB poll but there is no way to verify the demographics and there’s the disturbing memory of the total inaccuracy of the 2004 polling in a Mufi race. Even assuming both the CB and the Star-Advertiser polls were valid for the times they were taken, it means Abercrombie stayed dead in the water, moving from 49 to 48 percent over the past month, while Mufi plunged from 44 to 31. That’s hard to figure. Where did all those Mufi votes go?”

• After reading the polls, David Ericson had some new questions to be answered.

“If Muliufi does lose next week, it will be interesting to dissect the reasons. Here is a visible and powerful former mayor of Honolulu with a lot more money than Neil. Yet he is losing, according to the polls, in Honolulu and throughout the state. Why? Was it the negative campaign material? Or was it the campaign material coupled with the suspicion that Muliufi is not really a Democrat, while Neil has no identity problem at all? At the same time, Muliufi and Neil split the union endorsements. So, is Muliufi a pragmatic Republican but one the rank and file union members saw through all the time? Except for certain “liberal” social issues, they seem to have little distance between them. Or is it a matter of personality and perceived character? Is it simply this, or something much deeper and less apparent? I look forward to discovering more about our home.”

Mayoral Race

Civil Beat Poll: Carlisle Has Edge in Mayoral Race

• Kimo, posting under the Christine Sutton account, felt that one candidate still had a clear lead.

“I have another take as Peter has lost 12 points from the Star/Ad poll. Panos has doubled to 20% and 7 more points for Kirk. This could happen because of the negative campaigning by Caldwell and more voters interested in issues a week before the votes are counted. Still 9-10% undecided will usually not vote this close to the end so add 3% to each candidate of the three, as Tam is inconsequential. That makes Carlise at 40% still way in front.”

• Some voters, like Charles Freeman, still questioned the leadership styles of candidates who are ahead in the polls.

“Did anyone else see the Carlisle campaign convoy yesterday? There were at least 10 monster SUVs and limos with Carlisle signs driving around downtown, blowing horns and blocking traffic. Seemed a bit over the top for a man who says that we all need to tighten our belts. I’m happy to hear a candidate tell us it’s time for sacrifice, but I’d also like to see a candidate lead by example.”

Only the Votes Count

Poll or no poll, this election is completely up to you. Get out there and vote! And make sure to say aloha to any Civil Beat staff you see covering the election. I promise they won’t bite. Well — most won’t.