2026 Voting Guides

Hawaii voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in Hawaii.

Check Your Registration

Even if you voted last time, check that you’re still registered. Check your registration

  • Register online or by mail by Mon., Oct. 26.
  • Register in person at a voter service center by Tues., Nov. 3.

Missed it? You can register and vote the same day at any voter service center in your county, up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Key Dates

  • Mail ballots should arrive by this date
  • Voter service centers open for in-person voting and same-day registration (closed Sundays)
  • Paper registration deadline (received by 4:30 p.m.) to get a ballot by mail
  • Deadline to ask for your ballot to be sent to a different (absentee) address
  • Election Day: ballots must be received by 7 p.m.; last day of same-day registration
  • Deadline to fix a missing or mismatched envelope signature

Make a Voting Plan

Choose to vote early in person, by mail or on Election Day.

  • Vote early in person from Tues., Oct. 20 to Tues., Nov. 3.
  • Vote by mail. Every registered voter gets a ballot in the mail.
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
    Problem with your ballot? If you forgot to sign or your signature doesn't match, your county will contact you. Fix it by Nov. 10. Track your ballot
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, Voter service centers and drop boxes open until 7 p.m. Find your polling place.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • You can't vote only while you are in prison for a felony.
    • If you are on probation or parole, you can vote.
    • Once you are out, register again and vote.

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in Hawaii this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

Governor

  • Gary Cordery Republican · Campaign site
  • Construction company owner; ran for governor in 2022. Running mate: Daniel Anthony.
  • Josh Green Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
  • Governor since 2022; emergency room physician and former lieutenant governor. Running mate: Derek Kawakami.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Gary Cordery Republican

Supports creating citizen initiative and referendum in Hawaii. Calls for banning political donations from unions and PACs and creating a government transparency office. Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Says he is open to discussing a citizen initiative and referendum process with broad public input. Signed laws tightening lobbyist disclosure and campaign-spending rules. Source

Immigration

Gary Cordery Republican

No public position found.

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

In 2026 signed six laws that limit local police cooperation with ICE, shield schools, hospitals and churches from enforcement, and add due-process protections. Source

Abortion & health care

Gary Cordery Republican

Treats health costs as a cost-of-living issue and proposes ending the general excise tax on medicine. In 2022 he said abortion policy should be left 'to the will of the people'; no 2026 abortion plan published. Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Signed a 2023 law protecting abortion access in Hawaii. Signed 2026 laws on fertility coverage and medical debt relief. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Gary Cordery Republican

Proposes ending the general excise tax on food and medicine, freezing property taxes for retirees on their main home, and reducing 'taxes, fees, and the scope of government.' Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Says lowering the cost of living is his core focus and pledges to protect the middle-class tax relief passed in his first term. Source

Workers & wages

Gary Cordery Republican

No public position found.

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Signed a 2026 law setting up a framework for teacher salary-step and longevity raises, subject to collective bargaining. Source

Housing

Gary Cordery Republican

Pledges 15,000 fee-simple homes priced $400,000–$600,000 for working families, through faster permits and land reform. Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Declared a housing emergency to cut red tape for affordable housing. Expanded 'kauhale' tiny-home villages for people experiencing homelessness. Source

Schools

Gary Cordery Republican

Supports merit pay for teachers, proficiency-based graduation, financial literacy, and Hawaiian-language instruction starting in third grade. Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Expanded Hawaii Promise scholarships for community college students and signed school safety and meal-price measures in 2026. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Gary Cordery Republican

Has questioned how the state 'green fee' money is spent. Calls LNG a temporary fix and wants to explore hydrogen and small nuclear reactors. Source

Josh Green Democratic, incumbent

Backed Hawaii's visitor 'green fee' for climate resilience. Supports natural gas as a bridge fuel while aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2045. Source

Ballot measures

  • Constitutional Amendment 1: More time for Senate review of judicial appointments. Gives the state Senate 60 days instead of 30 to approve or reject judges and justices appointed between April 1 and Dec. 31, when the Senate is usually out of session. Today, an appointment not acted on in time is automatically confirmed.
    Yes means the Senate gets 60 days to act on those appointments.
    No means the Senate keeps 30 days.
  • Constitutional Amendment 2: RISE bonds for infrastructure. Lets counties issue 'resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity' (RISE) bonds to pay for public improvements in special districts. The bonds are repaid only from future growth in property tax money in those districts, not by raising tax rates, and do not count toward county debt limits.
    Yes means counties could use this new kind of bond to fund housing-related infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer.
    No means counties do not get this new bonding power.

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) — Spanish
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) — Asian languages
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) — Arabic
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

  • Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Statewide coalition of 60+ groups doing know-your-rights education and civic engagement with immigrant communities.
  • APIAVote. Asian American and Pacific Islander-led national group that runs nonpartisan voter education and outreach, including in Hawaii.

This guide has been created by our community. Want to make changes, edits or any additions? Update this guide >

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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