How to Vote in Hawai‘i’s 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
- Deadline to submit registration application by mail: Monday, Oct. 28 (postmarked)
- Deadline to request absentee ballot be mailed to different address: Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Deadline to return a mail or absentee ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 7 p.m. (received)
- Deadline to register to vote in person: Tuesday, Nov. 5
- General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Voter registration: Register to vote online, by mail or in person. Check your registration status using Hawai‘i’s online voter registration system or by calling 808-453-8683.
- Mail-in voting: Every registered voter in Hawai‘i automatically receives a ballot in the mail.
- Early voting: Cast your ballot at any voter service center in your county from Tuesday, Oct. 22, through Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day, excluding Sundays.
- Voting at the polls: Hawai‘i votes mostly by mail, but voter service centers are open before and on Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day.
Recent voting changes in Hawai‘i
A 2022 redistricting plan changed the boundaries of U.S. congressional and some legislative districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot.
How to register to vote
Register online, by mail or in person:
- Online: Sign in to Hawai‘i’s online voter registration system. You must have a Hawai‘i driver’s license or state ID card and a Social Security number to access the system.
- By mail: Complete a voter registration application and send it to your county elections division by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 28. Or, call the state Office of Elections at 808-453-8683 or email elections@hawaii.gov to request a paper application. Applications also are available at U.S. post offices, state libraries and most state agencies. First-time voters registering by mail without a Hawai‘i driver’s license, state ID card or a Social Security number must provide proof of identification such as a current photo ID card or a current bank statement, utility bill, paycheck or government document showing your name and address.
- In person: Visit a voter service center where you can register or update your registration and vote. Centers are open Tuesday, Oct. 22, through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, excluding Sundays. Check the state elections website for locations and hours. Or register at your county elections division or the state Office of Elections. You also can register when completing an application for a driver’s license or state ID at the Department of Motor Vehicles or when applying for certain public assistance programs.
Maui voters affected by the 2023 wildfires should update their voter registration information with their current mailing address to ensure they receive a ballot.
Registering to vote on Election Day
You can register to vote at a voter service center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day. Check the state elections website for locations and times. You will need to provide your Hawai‘i driver’s license or state-issued ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Check your voter registration status
You can check your registration status using Hawai‘i’s online voter registration system or by calling 808-453-8683.
How to request an absentee ballot
Every registered voter should automatically receive a mail ballot in the mail by Friday, Oct. 18. If you do not receive your ballot, contact your county elections division. If you want your ballot sent to a different address, you can submit an absentee ballot application by mail or in person by Tuesday, Oct. 29.
- By mail: Download a copy of the application. You also can call the state Office of Elections at 808-453-8683 or email elections@hawaii.gov to request an application be mailed to you. Mail your completed application to the address listed on the application.
- In person: Visit your county elections division to drop off or complete an application.
Returning a mail or absentee ballot
Complete your mail or absentee ballot and sign your return envelope. Election officials will verify your signature against the signature on file with your voter registration. If a ballot is returned without a signature, you will be contacted to provide one. A ballot cannot be counted without your signature on the return envelope.
You can return your ballot by mail or in person.
- By mail: Send it to your county elections division using the prepaid, preaddressed envelope included in your ballot packet. Ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day.
- In person: Return it to a voter service center in your county by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day. Locations can be found at the state elections website.
- Drop box: Locations can be found at the state elections website.
Sign up at BallotTrax or contact your county elections division to check on the status of your ballot. If there is a problem with your ballot, such as a signature that doesn’t match the one associated with your voter registration record, BallotTrax will notify you that there was an issue processing your ballot. Contact your county elections division to correct the issue. You also will be contacted by your county elections division and be given up to five days to make a correction.
Voting in person before Election Day
Voter service centers will be open Tuesday, Oct. 22, through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, excluding Sundays, for same-day registration, accessible voting and for those who prefer to vote in person. Check the state elections website for locations and hours.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Because Hawai‘i’s elections are mostly by mail, no precinct polling places will be open for the state primary, but some voter service centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the state elections website starting in May for available locations.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
Hawai‘i’s elections are mostly by mail, so there are no precinct polling places. However, voter service centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Check the state elections website for locations.
Sample ballots will be available at the state Office of Elections.
Voting with a disability
If you’re a voter with special needs, you can request an electronic ballot on your voter registration or by contacting your County Elections Division.
Voters requiring assistance also can use accessible voting equipment at voter service centers. Voters in nursing homes or long-term care facilities will receive a ballot in the mail or can vote at a voter service center.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 25, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.
Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.
