Voter Registration

Q: Do I need to register to vote?

A: Yes. Voter registration is required for new voters. It is also required of registered voters that have changed a name and/or address.

Q: When is the voter registration deadline?

A: The 2012 general election voter registration deadline is October 8, 2012. Voter registration application forms must be postmarked or received before the deadline.

Q: What are the qualifications for registering to vote?

A: Registrants must be a U.S. Citizens, a Hawaii resident, and at least 16 years old (pre-registration).

Q: How do I find out if I am registered to vote?

A: Voter Notification and Address Confirmation Postcard (yellow card) are mailed in April in the election year. You are properly registered to vote if you receive this postcard. You may also call the Elections Division at 768-3800 for verification.

Q: How does voter registration affect selection for jury duty?

A: By Hawaii law, the jury duty pool is derived from voter registration, drivers licensing, and State tax records.

Q: Is a residence address required for voter registration? What if I don't have a regular address?

A: If you do not have a residence address, a good description of the location of where you live is required. This will allow election officials to assign you to your proper voting district.

Election Day

Q: Where is my polling place?

A: Your polling place is listed on your "yellow voter card". You may also locate your polling site using our Find Your Polling Place online locator.

Q: What time are the polls open on election day?

A: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for regular elections. Persons in line at 6:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Q: Will I be allowed time off from work on election day?

A: It depends. Hawaii law requires employers to allow time off for voting under certain circumstances depending on the individual worker's schedule. Employers should contact the State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial relations for guidance.

Q: What kind of Primary Election does Hawaii hold?

A: The State of Hawaii Constitution provides for the secrecy of your political party preference. Because of this, a political party affiliation/declaration is not required at the time of registering to vote.

In the Primary Election, you will be provided a single ballot.
 
You will be instructed to first select your political party before proceeding to making your candidate selections.  Political party candidates will be listed in separate sections on the ballot. Multi-party voting is NOT allowed and voters must vote for candidates of only one political party.
 
Hawaii does not have a presidential preference primary election.

In the Primary election, voters may also vote in the special non-partisan contests (such as City contests).

Q: Will I be mailed a sample ballot or candidate information brochure?

A: The Elections Division does not produce a candidate guide. Check directly with the candidates or political parties for information. 

Absentee Voting

Q: What if I am away on election day? Can I vote early?

A: Voting by absentee ballot is allowed for any voter regardless of circumstances. Absentee voting may be done via mail or at an early voting absentee polling place.

Q: Do I have to apply for an absentee ballot for each election?

A: You may request an absentee ballot for the Primary and General election at the same time.

Q: Does Hawaii have a permanent absentee voter list?

A: Yes. Use the permanent absentee voter application form to request to vote by mail for all future elections. Applicants are solely responsible for keeping their personal address information current with the Elections Division.

Q: I am in the military and stationed in Hawaii. Can I vote by absentee ballot?

A: It depends on where you consider your residence for voting purposes. If you consider yourself a resident of another state, you should apply for an absentee ballot from that state.

If you are a Hawaii resident, you may request an absentee ballot from Hawaii.

Q: When do my absentee ballots need to be returned by?

A: Voted absentee ballots must be received by 6:00 p.m. (HST) on election day. According to State law, absentee ballots received after that time will not be counted.