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James Kealoha





1960 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Kealoha gained national attention in 1960 after ordering an audit of ballots cast in the close presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon . The election nationwide was so close, Hawaii effectively had the power to decide the winner. Kealoha certified the vote total in favor of fellow Republican Nixon resulting in the call of national Democrats for a recount. The recounts were tied up in the Hawaii State Judiciary . Confusion led to crisis as the Democrats submitted their three electoral votes for Kennedy while at the same time Republicans submitted their three electoral votes for Nixon. The result was finally resolved on the floor of the United States Senate during the Electoral College certification process.