Office of Elections

Hawaii Elections

Hawaii conducts statewide elections in even-numbered years. The primary election is held on the second Saturday in August and the general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

View the election calendar for dates and deadlines.

Pursuant to Act 136, SLH 2019, elections are conducted by mail. All registered voters automatically receive their ballot in the mail approximately eighteen (18) days prior to the election. Ballots are sent to the mailing address provided with the voter's voter registration. To register or update your voter registration, visit Voter Registration.

Primary Election

The primary election nominates candidates to represent political parties in the general election. Similarly, candidates who do not belong to a political party will be nominated to the general election by meeting the qualifications as a nonpartisan candidate running in a partisan contests.

Hawaii voters do not declare a political affiliation with the voter registration pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution, ensuring every voter's right to secrecy. On the primary election ballot, voters must first select a political affiliation and then vote for candidates of the political affiliation of their choice only.

Voters may also vote for candidates for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and county contests regardless of party affiliation.

General Election

The general election is a candidate contest, meaning that voters may vote for the candidate of their choice regardless of political affiliation. Voters will select federal, state, county, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidates, as well as State Constitutional Amendments and/or Charter Amendments.

Presidential Elections

Hawaii does not conduct a presidential primary. The political parties independently conduct presidential caucuses to nominate candidates for president and vice-president. For information on how to participate in the party-run presidential caucuses, contact the qualified political parties directly. The Electoral College elects the president and vice-president of the United States. Learn more about the Electoral College.

Registering to Vote

To register to vote in the State of Hawaii, you must be:

• A U.S. Citizen
• A resident of Hawaii
• At least sixteen (16) years old.
  • Hawaii law allows qualified individuals to pre-register at sixteen (16) years of age. Upon reaching eighteen (18) years of age, they will be automatically registered and mailed a ballot.

Learn more about Voter Registration.

Voting by Mail

Keep Your Voter Registration Current

Ballots are mailed to the mailing address associated with your voter registration. If you move to a new residence, change your mailing address or name, you must update your voter registration. You may check online or contact your County Elections Division to confirm that your registration record is current.

View Your Ballot

View the candidates and ballot associated with your street address here. If you have moved, please update your registration using the Online Voter Registration System.

Receiving Your Ballot

You will receive a mail ballot packet by: 

• Primary: July 26, 2022 
• General: October 21, 2022 

Your packet consists of a ballot, ballot secrecy sleeve, and a prepaid postage return ballot envelope. 

Voters with special needs may request for an electronic ballot through the Voter Registration Application or by contacting their County Elections Division. 

Returning Your Ballot

You may return your voted ballot by mail or in person at a designated place of deposit within your county. Voted ballots must be received by your County Elections Division by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Tracking Your Ballot

You may check on the status of your ballot, whether it has been mailed and/or received, by contacting your County Elections Division.

Processing Your Ballot

Upon receipt of your return envelope, your County Elections Division validates the signature to confirm your identity. After your signature is validated, your ballot will be forwarded to state election officials to be counted.

Voting at a Voter Service Center

The County Elections Divisions establish voter service centers that will be open 10 days prior and on Election Day. Services include accessible in person voting and same day registration.