2020 Hawaii Election Voting Process Guide – Voting by Mail?

[Note: This information is largely taken, unless cited otherwise, from the Hawaii State Office of Elections “2020 Hawaii Primary Election Guide”, which is publicly available on their website. Italics, emphasis and supplemental information has been included for clarity.]

Starting this year, all of Hawaii conveniently votes by mail! Now registered voters simply receive their packet in the mail, complete the ballot in the privacy of their own home and safely mail it before Primary Election Day. There are no polling places on Election Day.

In order to vote, you must be registered and your information up-to-date.

KEY DATES:

• JULY 9 VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
• JULY 21 BALLOT PACKETS DELIVERED
• AUGUST 8 PRIMARY ELECTION

HOW TO REGISTER

• Online: The best way is to visit elections.hawaii.gov and click Register to Vote. You must have a current Hawaii Driver License or State ID to log in to the online voter registration system.
• Download: Print a Voter Registration Application from elections.hawaii.gov/voters/applications.
• In-person: Pick-up an application from one of the locations listed below:
  • • Office of Elections
    • County Elections Divisions
    • State Libraries
    • U.S. Post Offices
    • Most State Agencies
    • Satellite City Halls

Mail or drop-o­ff your completed Voter Registration Application to your County Elections Division by July 9.

UPDATING YOUR REGISTRATION

You must be properly registered to ensure you receive your mail ballot packet. That means, if you have moved to a new residence, changed your name or mailing address, you must update your voter registration. Update your registration online at elections.hawaii.gov or by completing a Voter Registration Application and submitting it to your County Elections Division.

NOT SURE IF YOU ARE REGISTERED OR YOUR ADDRESS IS CURRENT?

You can check your voter registration online at elections.hawaii.gov by logging in with your Hawaii Driver License or State ID. You may also contact the O­ffice of Elections or your County Elections Division to confirm your registration is up-to-date.

Primary Election Guide

Hawaii conducts a single party Primary Election to nominate the candidates who will represent each party in the General Election. 

“A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party’s candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders.  Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Hawaii utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party’s primary” (ballotpedia.org).

On your Primary Election ballot, you must first select one political preference only. 

These are the parties recognized by the state of Hawaii:

• Libertarian
• Green
• Democratic
• Nonpartisan Ballot
• American Shopping
• Constitution
• Republican
• Aloha Aina

NOTE: Votes for a candidate of another political preference will not be counted.

County Elections, Office of Hawaiian Affairs

Everyone may vote in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and County Contests. County Contests are NON-Partisan. This means that party affiliation does not matter.

RETURNING YOUR VOTED BALLOT:

• By Mail

The return envelope is postage paid via the U.S.Postal Service and addressed to your County Elections Division. Your ballot should be mailed at least 3-5 days prior to Election Day to ensure it is received by the deadline. Ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Postmarks are not accepted.

• In-person

You may also drop off­ your voted ballot to a voter service center or place of deposit established by your County Elections Division. Find locations and hours at elections.hawaii.gov.

• Voter Service Centers

Voter Service Centers open from July 27 through August 7, Monday through Saturday  from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Services include accessible in-person voting and same-day voter registration.

For Maui:

Velma McWayne Santos Community Center

395 Waena Street

Wailuku, HI 96793

DID NOT RECEIVE YOUR BALLOT?

Call your County Elections Division if you don’t receive your ballot by late July!

elections.hawaii.gov 453-VOTE (8683) | Neighbor Islands Toll Free 1-800-442-VOTE

OVERALL CALENDAR

• July 9 Voter Registration Deadline
• July 21 Primary Election Ballots Delivered
• July 27 Primary Voter Service Centers Open
• August 8 Primary Election
• October 5 Voter Registration Deadline
• October 16 General Election Ballots Delivered
• October 20 General Voter Service Centers Open
• November 3 General Election

For voter registration information or to request a replacement ballot, contact your County Elections Division.

• County of Maui (808) 270-7749
• State of Hawaii Office of Elections
  • Telephone: (808) 453-VOTE (8683
  • Neighbor Islands Toll Free 1-800-442-VOTE (8683)

Email: elections@hawaii.gov

Website: elections.hawaii.gov