Saturday night I was at a birthday party that included several people who had moved to Hawaiʻi since the last round of elections in 2022. The conversation turned to whether and how the new Hawaiʻi residents had registered to vote, and some of the differences in procedures from their former home states. That reminded me it would be a good time to update the newcomer guides to voting I wrote in 2022, and in 2020 when Hawaiʻi moved to online registration and mail-in voting.
Newcomer to Hawaiʻi? Here is a guide to the basics of voter registration and casting your ballot – primary elections are in August and candidates have already hit the campaign trail.
How to Register or Check Whether You Are Registered To Vote in Hawaiʻi
If you are a new resident or have not voted here yet, there are several ways to register to vote. If you applied for a Hawaiʻi drivers license recently, you had the option to register at the same time. If not, you can register to vote online here. That same link works if you want to confirm that you are registered and that your address is current. If you moved and have not yet updated your address, this would be a good time to do so, especially if your move meant you changed districts!
Important Dates for Hawaiʻi Elections and Voter Registration
One more tip – if you have travel plans this summer or spend the summers away from your Hawaiʻi residence and so will not be here in late July or early August, you will miss receiving your Primary Elections ballot, which will be mailed July 23rd. Similarly, the Voter Service Centers where you can register to vote, and actually vote same day, open July 29th. If you are going to be away, you can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to the address where you will be in late July/early August.
Where To Find Out About Hawaiʻi Candidates and Issues
I included information above from the League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi County (aka the “Big Island” where I reside). The League of Women Voters voter guide will drop this week at vote411.org.
For up to date information on candidates, key local Hawaiʻi races and issues, candidate interviews and more, I recommend the 2024 Election coverage by Civil Beat. They cover candidates across the State of Hawaiʻi, from County Council and Mayoral races to our State House and Senate representatives.
And be on the lookout for live candidate forums in your neighborhood – or just look for candidates at local community events.
Here in Hawaiʻi County, eight of our nine County Council seats are up for election, and the majority of those races have multiple candidates – so unless you live in District 4 (Puna) voting in the primary matters!
In Hawaiʻi many of our local races will be decided in the August 10th Primary Election. Donʻt wait until the fall to register and vote!
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