Hawaii General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:05 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:26 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Hawaii offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Hawaii by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Hawaii mails a ballot to every registered voter a few weeks before the election. Keep an eye on the mailbox! Be sure to mail it back so that is received by Election Day, or drop it in a drop box before or on Election Day. You can also vote in person if you prefer to do so. Hawaii offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- If you're an active registered voter, you should receive your ballot in the mail. If you don't receive your ballot, contact your local election office.
- You can return your ballot by mail or in person. Visit the Hawaii website to find where to vote.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Hawaii's website.
If you’re not registered:
- Register online by Nov 3.
- Your by mail registration form must be postmarked by Oct 26.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Hawaii’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Hawaii Office of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Hawaii's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Hawaii.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Hawaii’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Hawaii before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo identification
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government issued document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted, as long as you are otherwise eligible to vote.
Can I register to vote online?
- Hawaii offers online voter registration.
- You need a Hawaii ID and a Social Security number to use Hawaii's online voter registration system. If you don’t have a Social Security number or a Hawaii-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
- In Hawaii, you can register online at any time. However, if you register online close to an election, you should make a plan to vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day because you may not receive a ballot in the mail for that first election.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Hawaii Office of Elections.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Hawaii offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 20 and Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Hawaii's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in Hawaii before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo identification
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government issued document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted, as long as you are otherwise eligible to vote.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Hawaii voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Hawaii, you must provide your Hawaii driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Hawaii will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Hawaii partisan primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In Hawaii, it is optional to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
Hawaii conducts elections primarily by mail. If you are an active registered voter, then you can expect to receive a ballot in the mail. It will be sent to the mailing address you used to register to vote.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or use a ballot drop box.
- Find a ballot dropbox near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, USPS recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
If my election office finds an issue with my mail ballot after I return it, can I fix it?
In Hawaii, you can correct the following issues after you return your ballot to your local election office:
- a missing signature on a return identification envelope affirmation
- an affirmation signature that does not match your signature on record
- a return envelope with an issue that would prevent your ballot being counted
This process is called ballot curing.
Your local election office will reach out to give you instructions if they find an issue with this information on your ballot. Methods of outreach may vary.
Contact your local election office for more information about ballot curing.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register at your voting location on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Hawaii Office of Elections website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the Hawaii Office of Elections.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 20 - Nov 2
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Nov 3
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 26
Voting deadlines
- Early voting : Oct 20 - Nov 2
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. HST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. HST
- All active registered voters start to receive mail ballots : Oct 16
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you've voted in Hawaii before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't provide a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo identification
- copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government issued document that shows your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted, as long as you are otherwise eligible to vote.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Hawaii Office of Elections website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Hawaii you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a State of Hawaii resident
- be at least 16 years old (you must be 18 years old by election day in order to vote)
- not be incarcerated for a felony conviction
- not be adjudicated by a court as "non compos mentis"
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the Hawaii Office of Elections.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Hawaii. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Hawaii's voter registration lookup tool.
Watch this video about how to check your registration status from the Hawaii Office of Elections.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Hawaii, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Office of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Hawaii. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.