Same-Day Registration and Voting Available in the Upcoming Elections

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In the 2012 elections, Hawaii’s voter turnout was just 44.5%, the lowest of all the states in the nation. In 2016, Hawaii earned the dubious distinction once again with only 43% of Hawaii’s eligible voters casting a ballot. By contrast, that year Minnesota had the highest turnout at 74.8% and the overall national turnout of eligible voters was 60.2%.

To improve voter participation, in 2014 Hawaii became the 12th state in the nation to adopt a same-day registration policy to allow residents to register on the day they go to the polls. This is the first election year that Hawaii is having same-day registration.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can register up until the day the Primary Election on August 11, 2018. The polls are open from 7 am to 6 pm.

Early Voting

If you do not plan to be in Hawaii on the day of the Primary Election, you can vote early.

Deadline to submit mail ballot request: August 4, 2018 (seven days prior to election)
Early walk-in voting: July 30 – August 9, 2018

Vote Early

Any registered voter may request a mail ballot or cast their vote at an early walk-in location within their county. Click here for a list of walk-in early locations.

Mail-in ballot

To get a mail ballot, simply download, complete and submit a voter registration and permanent absentee application online. Click here for to download the PDF.

You can expect to receive your absentee ballot in the mail 20 days prior to the election, which means it should be in your mailbox any day now, if you’ve already registered. Your ballot must be submitted back to the State of Hawaii’s Office of Elections before the polls close at 6 pm for both the primary and general elections.

Vote for Those Who Support Faculty

UHPA has publicly endorsed a number of candidates who are running in this year’s election because of their track record of support for higher education and faculty. Please consider voting for these candidates:

Governor: Colleen Hanabusa
Lieutenant Governor: Jill Tokuda
Congress (1st District): Beth Fukumoto

Hawaii State Legislators – House

House District 3: Rep. Richard Onishi (Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano)
House District 7: David Tarnas (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala)
House District 9: Rep. Justin Woodsen (Kahului, Puunene, Old Sand Hills, Maui Lani)
House District 23: Dale Kobayashi (Manoa, Punahou, University, Moiliili)
House District 25: Rep. Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa)
House District 26: Rep. Scott Saiki (McCully, Kaheka, Kakaako, Downtown)
House District 31: Rep. Aaron Johanson (Moanalua, Red Hill, Foster Village, Aiea, Fort Shafter, Moanalua Gardens, Aliamanu, Lower Pearlridge)
House District 36: Dean Hazama (Mililani Mauka, Mililani)
House District 48: Lisa Kitagawa (Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Waiahole)
House District 49: Scot Matayoshi (Kaneohe, Maunawili, Olomana)

Hawaii State Legislators – Senate

Senate District 4: Heather Kimball (Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona)
Senate District 7: Kalani English (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe)
Senate District 19: Alicia Maluafiti (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages)
Senate District 24: Jarrett Keohokalole (Kane‘ohe, MCBH, Kailua, He‘eia, ‘Ahuimanu)

View UHPA’s endorsements of these candidates.

Colleen Hanabusa for Governor

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The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly’s board of directors unanimously voted in favor of endorsing Colleen Hanabusa for governor and officially notified her campaign today. UHPA’s political endorsement committee had recommended Hanabusa to the board for consideration.

“Our endorsement was based on input from faculty as well as Colleen’s solid track record of support for public higher education in Hawaii,” said Lynne Wilkens, president of the UHPA board of directors. “We need a governor who is predictable, driven by consistent values, decisive, collaborative, and has the integrity to keep promises — all of the qualities that Colleen has demonstrated during her years as a leader in the legislature and in Congress.”

In the letter of endorsement to Hanabusa, Wilkens noted that affordable housing, quality child care and elder care, and the cost of living consistently top the list of critical issues raised by UH faculty. These concerns are directly linked to the ability to recruit and retain quality faculty to teach and conduct research at the University of Hawaii’s 10 campuses statewide.

Wilkens also noted the UH has been an economic engine for Hawaii, with faculty members attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding from national sources that create local jobs and the development of practical solutions to pressing issues in the state.

“We believe it is important to maintain this diversity of funding sources to ensure our faculty-led research programs remain resilient to economic challenges and not solely dependent upon state support,” she said.

UHPA Endorses Colleen Hanabusa, for Governor

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UHPA endorsement is based on faculty input as well as her solid track record of support for public higher education in Hawai‘i.  We agreed we need a governor who is predictable, driven by consistent values, decisive, collaborative and has the integrity to keep promises.  Concerns such as affordable housing, quality child care and elder care and the cost of living are directly linked to the ability to recruit and retain quality faculty.  The UH Faculty has been an economic engine for our state, attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding from national sources that create local jobs and development of practical solutions to pressing issues in our state.  Colleen Hanabusa will advocate for ensuring there are the means to build and keep quality faculty that deliver for our students and our islands.

UHPA Endorses Representative Scott Saiki, House District 26

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UHPA is please to endorse Speaker of the House Scott Saiki.  Speaker Saiki has demonstrated strong leadership through an open door policy, collaborative working relationship and a willingness to listen to opposing views.  We look forward to a continue strong relationship

Mahalo from Jill Tokuda

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UHPA Endorses Heather Kimball, Senate District 4

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UHPA was pleased to learn that Heather was a former faculty at the University of California and belonged to UPTE-CMA local 9119.  Heather has a strong higher education background.  Heather understands the issue before UHPA with retention and recruitment, research grants, facilities, and the every pending Janus case.  Heather has been serving her community in a variety of areas, as a business woman working in energy conservation, as a paddling coach to her membership in the American Meteorological Society.  These skills will serve UHPA and Senate District 4 well, we are pleased to endorse Heather.

UHPA Endorses Representative Sylvia Luke, House District 25

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UHPA is continuing to endorse Representative Luke who Chairs the Finance Committee in the State House.  Representative Luke has always been willing to meet and discuss the important issues facing UHPA members.  Rep. Luke took a strong stand to insure our Bargaining Unit 07 Collective Bargaining Bill was on the agenda for the special session last summer.  This made it possible for faculty to receive their increases in 2018.  We appreciate all she has done to support faculty and look forward to working with her next session.

UHPA Endorses Kalani English, Senate District 7

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UHPA is excited to support Senator Kalani English who currently represents Senate District 7.  Senator English served as Vice Chair of the Labor Committee and was extremely helpful to UHPA during the session.  He personally met with the UHPA legislative team along with Senate leadership to discuss the passage of labor bills introduced by UHPA.  He has demonstrated a strong understanding of Chapter 89, the HLRB and the issues facing public unions due to the Janus case before the US Supreme Court.  UHPA believes Senator English will serve the faculty well.