Voting in Hawaii, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Tue, Oct 20 · passedEarly voting begins
- Tue, Oct 27 · todayLast day for mail ballot applicationsEvery voter is mailed a ballot, and voters who need it sent to a different address should update it by Tuesday October 27, 2026.2
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Early voting ends; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arrive
- Sun, Nov 8 · 12 daysCounty/Local canvassThe local count is complete within five days of the election, by November 8.3
- Mon, Nov 23 · 27 daysDeadline to contest the resultA contest must be filed by 4:30 p.m. on the 20th day after the election, November 23, 2026.4
Questions people ask about voting in Hawaii
Q. When does early voting end in Hawaii?
In-person voting at voter service centers runs from Tuesday October 20 through Election Day.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Hawaii?
Voters can register and vote in person through Election Day, and mailed registrations must be postmarked by Monday October 26, 2026.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Hawaii?
Every voter is mailed a ballot, and voters who need it sent to a different address should update it by Tuesday October 27, 2026.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Hawaii?
Mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in Hawaii, and by when?
The county clerk canvasses the results only in county elections. On receipt of certified tabulations from the election officials concerned, the chief election officer for a state election, or county clerk in a county election, shall compile, certify, and release the election results after the expiration of the time for bringing an election contest. (Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-155) The deadline for bringing a contest is not later than 4:30 p.m. on the 20th day following a general election (Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-174.5). The Chief Election Officer, appointed by the state elections commission, oversees the count and certifies the results. Presidential electors: Not later than 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the month of the election, or as soon as the returns have been received from all counties in the state, if received before that time (Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 14-24). All other offices: Results are certified after the expiration of the time for bringing a contest, or if there is a contest, after a final determination has been made and the time for an appeal has passed (Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 11-156).
Q. What happens after the count in Hawaii, and when is there a recount?
A mandatory, state-funded recount takes place when the margin is 100 votes or 1/4 of 1 percent of the votes cast, whichever is greater, and must be completed within 72 hours after the polls close. Officials certify after the time for an election contest expires.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in Hawaii?
A contest must be filed by 4:30 p.m. on the 20th day after the election, November 23, 2026.
Sources
- US Vote Foundation, Hawaii Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/hawaii-election-dates-and-deadlines
- Vote.org, Hawaii Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/hawaii/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- ncsl.org, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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