Voting Accessibility in Hawaii

A voter who requires assistance to vote, by reason of disability, visual or hearing impairment, or inability to read or write, may request assistance from a person of their choice other than their employer or agent of their employer or union.

Important: All registered voters receive a mail ballot packet approximately 18 days prior to the election, and multiple accessible voting options are available.

Accessible Voting Options

Vote at Home with Paper Ballot

All registered voters receive a mail ballot packet approximately 18 days prior to the election.

Accessible Electronic Ballot

Voters with special needs may request an accessible electronic ballot from their County Elections Division.

Ballot Marking Device

Voter service centers are equipped with accessible voting equipment including the Verity Touch Writer.

Try the Accessible Electronic Ballot System

Experience the accessible electronic ballot system firsthand. This demo allows you to see how voters with disabilities can mark their ballots privately and independently using assistive technology.

How the Electronic Ballot System Works

1

Request Access

Contact your County Elections Division to request an accessible electronic ballot.

2

Receive Ballot

Your ballot will be electronically transmitted to you via email or secure download.

3

Mark Privately

Download and mark your ballot privately using your own assistive technology.

4

Return Ballot

Return your completed ballot electronically or use the return envelope from your mail packet.

Voter Service Centers

Voter service centers are equipped with accessible voting equipment. Voters may use an accessible ballot marking device, Verity Touch Writer, to vote their ballot and then print and cast their ballot. The printed ballot is the same as the one used by all voters whether at the voter service center or by mail.

Primary Election

Service Centers Open:July 27 - August 8, 2026
Hours:10 business days prior
Closed:Sundays

General Election

Service Centers Open:October 20 - November 3, 2026
Hours:10 business days prior
Closed:Sundays

Guidelines for Individuals Providing Voting Assistance

If a resident of a care facility requests assistance from facility personnel in registering to vote and voting their ballot, the following guidelines should be observed to protect the voter's rights:

1

Involve Family Members

Reach out to family members to get them involved in the process of registration and voting.

2

Verify Qualifications

Ensure that the resident meets all the qualifications to register to vote.

3

Maintain Nonpartisanship

When providing assistance in voting, staff must remain nonpartisan and there should be at least two people of differing political affiliation present.

4

Respect Privacy

No one may ask a voter to see or look at the contests of their ballot or choice of political affiliation.

5

Authorized Assistance Only

No one may mark a person's ballot or direct a person in voting without authorization.

6

Prevent Fraud

An attempt to vote in the name of another without specific authorization is illegal.

Voter and Election Fraud Prevention

The following actions constitute voter and election fraud:

Bribery & Coercion

Offering money or valuable consideration to induce voting or refraining from voting for any particular person.

Threats & Intimidation

Threatening, forcing or intimidating a voter to refrain from voting or to vote for any particular person or party.

Impersonation

Voting or attempting to vote in the name of any other person, living or dead, or in some fictitious name.

Double Voting

Having already voted and knowingly attempting to vote again, or giving more than one ballot for the same office.

Legal Penalty: Pursuant to Hawaii law, any person who knowingly furnishes false information on the voter registration application or absentee application may be guilty of a Class C Felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine.

Hawaii Elections Explained 2024 (ASL)

Watch this American Sign Language video explaining Hawaii's election process and accessible voting options.

This video provides a comprehensive explanation of Hawaii's election process in American Sign Language.

Contact Information

Hawaii Office of Elections

Phone: (808) 453-8683

Toll Free: 800-442-8683

Email: elections@hawaii.gov

Website: elections.hawaii.gov

County Elections Divisions

Honolulu: (808) 768-3800

Hawaii: (808) 961-8277

Maui: (808) 270-7749

Kauai: (808) 241-4800