Quick Questions and Answers on Voting

Quick Questions and Answers on Voting

1. Am I registered to vote?

You can confirm whether you are registered to vote and your voter registration address at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/or call 1-808-453-VOTE (8683).  Neighbor Islands may call toll free at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683). You will need a:

• Hawaii Driver License
• Hawaii State ID
• Last 4 digits of Social Security Number

2. Where do I vote?

Hawaii is a vote by mail state starting with the 2020 elections. Ballots should arrive in a registered voter’s mailbox around July 21, 2020 for the August 8^thPrimary Election and around October 16^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral Election. Ballots cannot be forwarded to a different address.

If you do not receive your ballots by July 25, 2020 for the August 8^thPrimary, call your county clerk to ask for another ballot to be mailed to you ASAP.  Look up the county clerks’ numbers: https://elections.hawaii.gov/resources/county-election-divisions/.

If you do not receive your ballots by October 19, 2020 for the November 3^rdGeneral, call your county clerk to ask for another ballot to be mailed to you ASAP.  Look up the county clerks’ numbers: https://elections.hawaii.gov/resources/county-election-divisions/.

If you want to vote in-person, there are no longer traditional polling places. There are only 8 voter service centers statewide to accommodate in-person voting, same-day voter registration, and other voting needs. You can look up the location of the 8 voter service centers and their days and hours of operations here: https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=40a88743b85b4fbfb8cf6128bacfedcf.  You can also call 1-808-453-VOTE (8683) or toll free from neighbor islands at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).

3. When do the voter service centers open/close?

Voter service centers are all open for the:

• August 8^thPrimary– July 27 through August 7, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on August 8^thPrimary Election Day, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• November 3^rdGeneral — October 20 through November 2, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on November 3rd Election Day, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

You can look up the location of the 8 voter service centers (and their days and hours of operations) here: https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=40a88743b85b4fbfb8cf6128bacfedcf.  You can also call 1-808-453-VOTE (8683) or toll free from neighbor islands at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).

4. The voter service centers for the August 8, 2020 Primary Election and the November 3, 2020 General Election at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. A voter waiting in line to vote by 7:00 p.m. must be allowed to vote.When is/was the voter registration deadline?

For the August 8^thPrimary, the voter registration deadline for the ballot to be mailed is July 9^th. For the November 3^rdGeneral, the voter registration deadline for the ballot to be mailed is October 5^th.

Ballots should arrive in a registered voter’s mailbox around July 21, 2020 for the August 8^thPrimary Election and October 16^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral Election. Ballots cannot be forwarded to a different address.

If you do not receive your ballots by July 25, 2020 for the August 8^thPrimary, call your county clerk to ask for another ballot to be mailed to you ASAP.  Look up the county clerks’ numbers: https://elections.hawaii.gov/resources/county-election-divisions/.

If you do not receive your ballots by October 19, 2020 for the November 3^rdGeneral, call your county clerk to ask for another ballot to be mailed to you ASAP.  Look up the county clerks numbers: https://elections.hawaii.gov/resources/county-election-divisions/.

Voters can register to vote online and check your voter registration address is correct to receive your mailed ballot at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/or call 1-808-453-VOTE (8683). Neighbor Islands may call toll free at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683). You will need a:

• Hawaii Driver License
• Hawaii State ID
• Last 4 digits of Social Security Number

People can also same day register and vote in-person at a voter service center (see Questions #2 and #3 above) for location and days/hours of voter service centers. To register to vote in-person you will be asked to complete a registration affidavit (of citizenship, age, and Hawaii residency) and provide physical identification.  The following are acceptable forms of ID:

• Hawaii Driver License
• Hawaii State ID
• Last 4 digits of Social Security Number
• Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or other government issued documents showing name and address.

5. I have moved and I didn’t update my voter registration, can I vote?

Yes.  However, you must re-register, which you may do (1) online (at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/), (2) in person (at a voter service center in your county of residence), or (3) by mail.  If you moved from one county to another without re-registering by the registration deadline (which is July 9^thfor the August 3^rdPrimary and October 5^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral for the ballots to be mailed), you may re-register and vote in-person at a voter service center in your new county of residence. (See Questions #2, #3, and #4 above).  You will be presented a form by the election official.  You will be immediately added to the register of the new precinct, and may vote only at the new precinct.

6. I am a registered Hawaii voter who will not in Hawaii for the Elections. Can I vote where I am?

Hawaii is voting by mail in 2020. All registered voters should be mailed a ballot. If you already a registered to vote, you do not need to re-register to vote. You should confirm your address at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/so that you will receive your ballot. (See Question #1). Ballots are not forwardable.If you moved or changed your name, you will need to re-register to vote. (See Question #5). The deadlines to register to vote to have a ballot mailed to you are July 9^thfor the August 8^thPrimary and October 5^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral.

If you need a one-time absentee ballot mailed to you, please adhere to the same deadlines of July 9^thfor the August 8^thPrimary and October 5^thfor the General to receive your ballot in the mail: https://elections.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AB-Form-English-20191211-website.pdf

7. When should mailed ballots be returned?

Voted ballots must be received by the county clerks by 7 pm on Election Day – this means August 8^thPrimary or November 3^rdGeneral.

Return envelopes are postage prepaid, so mail your voted ballots at least 7 days priorto August 8^thPrimary or November 3^rdGeneral to ensure that your ballot is received by the county clerk’s office by 7 pm on Election Day.

If it is too late to mail back your ballot to be received by the county clerk by 7 pm on Election Day, you may take your ballot to a place of deposit or voter service center by 7 pm on Election Day – this means August 8^thPrimary or November 3^rdGeneral. For locations and hours of places of deposit, please look here: https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=40a88743b85b4fbfb8cf6128bacfedcf.

Places of deposit are open in all counties 5 days before the August 8^thPrimary, starting August 3^rd,  and 5 days before the November 3^rdGeneral, starting October 27^th. The hours of each place of deposit may vary, so please check https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=40a88743b85b4fbfb8cf6128bacfedcf.

Remember that all ballots must be received by the clerk by 7 pm on Election Day.

If you are waiting in line at a voter service center to drop off your ballot (or to vote) at 7 pm, please continue to do so.

8. How do I return my ballot by mail?

A voter will receive ballot packet in the mail contains containing:

• A ballot
• A ballot secrecy sleeve
• A return ballot envelope (postage prepaid)
• Voting instructions

The ballot packet will arrive around July 21^stfor the August 8^thPrimary and October 16^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral. If you do not receive your mail ballot packet by July 25, 2020 for the August 8^thPrimary or October 19, 2020 for the November 3^rdGeneral, contact your clerk’s office.

Voting Your Ballot: Follow these tips to ensure that your vote counts.

• Before voting, review the instructions, contests, and candidates on both sides of the ballot. Click here to learn more about Hawaii elections. When voting in the Primary, you must select one political preference, and only vote for candidates within that ballot. If you vote outside your political preference or vote for more than the number of candidates allowed in a contest, your vote will not be counted.
• A properly marked ballot counts 100% of the time. When marking the ballot, completely fill in the box to the left of your choice with a black or blue pen.
• You don’t have to vote for all candidates or measures. Your ballot will still be counted.
• Voters have the right to spoil their ballot. If you change your mind or make an error and have not yet returned your ballot, contact the clerk’s office for a replacement ballot. Do not use whiteout.
• Once you return your ballot and is received by the clerk’s office, it is considered cast and you will not be able to receive a new ballot.

Preparing Your Ballot for Return: After voting your ballot, re-fold it and seal it in the secret ballot sleeve. The secret ballot sleeve ensures your right to secrecy as the ballots are opened and prepared for counting. Once sealed, place the secret ballot sleeve in the return envelope. Read the affirmation statement and sign the return envelope before returning it to the clerk’s office. Voters must sign the return envelope for the ballot to be counted. Your signature on the return envelope enables election officials to verify you as the voter.  The signature you provide on the return ballot envelope is verified against the signature on file in your voter registration record. If you do not sign your return ballot envelope, your ballot will not be counted.  The County Election Officials should contact the voter to obtain the missing signature or if there is an issue concerning the signature verification.  Voters will have until 5 business days after the election to provide their signature if it is missing or answer questions about the signature verification.  Ballots that still do not have verified signatures by this date are not counted.

Returning Your Ballot: Voters may return their ballot by mail or in-person at a designated place of deposit. Voted ballots must be received by the clerk’s office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

• By mail: Voters should mail their voted ballot 7 days before the election to ensure that the clerk’s office receives it by the deadline. The return envelope is postage paid via the U.S. Postal Service and addressed to your clerk’s office.
• Voter service center or place of deposit: Voters may visit any voter service center or place of deposit within their county to drop off their voted ballot.

9. Who can return a voted ballot?

If you are unable to return your ballot due to a disability or illness, you may designate someone to pick up and deliver your ballot.  Ensure your ballot return envelope is sealed and signed before returning.

10. Why sign the return envelope of the voted ballot?

As ballots are received, the signature on the outside of your return envelope is scanned by County Election Officials.  This signature is then matched to the signature on file in your voter registration record.  If it matches, your ballot is validated and forwarded to be counted.

11. How can I be sure that my ballot is received by the clerk’s office?

You can track your ballot online via the ballot receipt portal at https://elections.hawaii.govby logging in with your Hawaii Driver License or State ID.  This portal will tell you when your ballot was mailed and when it is received by the county.

12. I have a criminal conviction. Can I vote?

Yes. A person sentenced for a felony, from the time of the person’s sentence until the person’s final discharge, may not vote in an election, but if the person is placed on probation or the person is paroled after commitment to imprisonment, the person may vote during the period of the probation or parole.

13. I am a college student. Can I register to vote where I go to school?

Yes, out-of-state students may establish residency in Hawaii for voting purposes if their residence is that place in which their habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever they are absent, they have the intent to return.  However, a person does not gain residency solely by the person’s presence while a student of an institution of learning.  Further demonstration of intent to establish a permanent dwelling place within such precinct is necessary.  A person may have only one legal residence for the purpose of voting, and a person loses his/her status as a legal resident for the purposes of voting if that person votes in an election held in another state by absentee ballot or in person.

14. I am physically disabled and need assistance.Will my voter service center be accessible?

Yes, all voter service centers, voting booths, and designated places of deposit for ballots must be wheelchair accessible. Most voter service centers offer accessible parking. Voters unable to leave their vehicles to vote may use curbside voting services. Elections workers are trained to assist people with disabilities.

15. I am blind, physically disabled, or cannot read English and require assistance in order to vote. Can I get assistance at the voter service center?

Yes, if a voter cannot read, write, or speak English or if he or she is blind or otherwise physically disabled, she or he has the right to receive help with voting by a person of his or her choice.  The voter may not receive assistance from the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, an agent of the voter’s labor union, or a candidate for any office that is listed on the ballot. Voters at the voter service center may request assistance in having information and the ballot read to them.

Additionally, on Election Day, voter service centers should offer the following:

• Auxiliary Aids Kit with tools to assist voters with disabilities, such as magnifiers, signature guides, and communication cards for voters who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Curbside voting for voters unable to leave their vehicles to vote;
• Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines, which provide nonvisual access for voters who are blind or visually impaired as well as language accessibility in Chinese, Ilocano, and Japanese;
• Oral and/or written assistance for voters with difficulty understanding the English Language.
• A Voter Assistance Official where voters can request special assistance.

16. I don’t know how to use the voting equipment. Can I get help?

Yes, any person who requires assistance to vote at a voter service center may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, an agent of the voter’s labor union, or a candidate for any office that is listed on the ballot.

17. What if I returned my voted ballot but I want to vote in person on Election Day?

As long as the voter has not already returned a voted ballot, and is otherwise qualified, they should be allowed to vote in person at a voter service center.  However, any person having returned a voted ballot shall not be entitled to vote at a voter service center on Election Day or request another ballot by mail.

18. Can I vote by mail or vote in person before Election Day?

Yes. All Hawaii registered voters will be mailed a ballot around July 21^stfor the August 8^thPrimary and around October 16^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral.

The deadline to registered to vote to receive a mailed ballot is July 9^thfor the August 8^thPrimary.  The deadline to register to vote to receive a mailed ballot is October 5^thfor the November 3^rdGeneral.  If you are registered to vote already, you do not need to re-register. If you moved or changed your name, then you need to register to vote. You do so online at https://olvr.hawaii.gov/.

Voters may choose to vote in-person at a voter service center. You can look up the locations of the 8 voter service centers and their days and hours of operations here: https://histategis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=40a88743b85b4fbfb8cf6128bacfedcf.  You can also call 1-808-453-VOTE (8683) or toll free from neighbor islands at 1-800-442-VOTE (8683).  Voter service centers are all open for the:

• August 8^thPrimary– July 27 through August 7, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on August 8^thPrimary Election Day, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• November 3^rdGeneral — October 20 through November 2, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and on November 3rd Election Day, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

There will no longer be traditional polling places open.

Voted ballots must be received by your clerk’s office no later than 7 pm on Election Day. If you mail you ballots back, postmarks to not count.