Download a printer-friendly PDF
Here's what you need to know if you want to vote in Hawaii in 2012:
VOTER REGISTRATION
Do I Need an ID to Vote?
Yes. You need an ID with a picture and signature (such as a Hawaii driver's license or state ID card) when you go to vote. The Notice of Voter Registration and Address Confirmation (NVRAC) card is not an acceptable form of identification.
How Do I Register to Vote?
- Fill out the Wikiwiki voter registration form at: http://hawaii.gov/elections/forms/voter_application.pdf and mail it in to your county office.
- Visit the office of the county clerk where you reside to fill out the Wikiwiki voter registration form.
- When you apply for your driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Application for Motor Vehicle Driver's License also contains a Motor Voter Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration, allowing you to simultaneously apply for a driver's license and register to vote.
Voter registration applications must be mailed no later than 30 days prior to an election to the appropriate city/county clerk.
VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS
If you are registering to vote for the first time in the state of Hawaii and are mailing in an Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Proof of identification includes a copy of:
- A current and valid photo identification, or
- A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
If you do not provide the required proof of identification with the Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration, you will be required to do so at your polling place, or with your voted absentee mail-in ballot.
IN-PERSON VOTING
If you are planning on casting a ballot in person on Election Day:
- You will be notified of your polling place with the Notice of Voter Registration and Address Confirmation (NVRAC) card, which your county clerk will mail to you.
- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Any person registered to vote may cast an absentee ballot. If you cannot vote at your polling place for any reason or you will be absent from Hawaii on Election Day, you may vote using an absentee ballot. You also may vote at an absentee walk-in polling place before Election Day.
You can download an absentee ballot application at: http://hawaii.gov/elections/forms/absentee_ application.pdf.
Applications also are available at:
- Satellite city halls;
- Offices of the city/county clerks;
- U.S. Post Offices;
- All public libraries; and
- All state agencies.
Mail or drop off the completed application at the office of the city or county clerk. Applications to vote absentee should be mailed to your city/county clerk no later than seven days prior to an election. You will receive your ballot and instructions on how to vote your ballot by mail.
You also may vote absentee at walk-in polling places. Absentee walk-in polling places are located at the offices of the city or county clerk where you reside. For additional locations and hours of operations, call your city/county clerk where you reside.
- Office of Elections: 808-453-8683
- City and County of Honolulu: 808-768-3800
- County of Hawaii: 808-961-8277
- County of Maui: 808-270-7749
- County of Kauai: 808-241-4800
For additional information about voting in Hawaii, call the voter hotline at: 808-453-VOTE (8683). For neighbor islands, call toll-free: 1-800-442-VOTE (8683). You also can find information online at www.hawaii.gov/elections.