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)
