The 2024 General Election Voting Guide

by HFC Staff

The upcoming November 5 General Election is right around the corner.

With the recent presidential debates, candidate interviews, and Q&As, the campaign season is in full swing to reach as many voters as possible in the upcoming election session.

This is Hawaii’s third year of doing mail-in ballots and the second time Hawaii voters are electing a president using this ballot system.

In this article, let’s see the step-by-step process of dropping your ballot mail.

Learn about the candidates
We’ve always said that it is best to treat your voting experience like an exam. Review your values and research about the candidates and their platforms.

Watching the presidential debates and reading up on your local candidates’ Q&As is a great way to learn more about the people appearing on your ballot. Find which platforms support your values and make a decision on which candidate you will cast your vote for.

To help with your research, Hawaii Filipino Chronicle’s regular and supplement issues cover topics relating to the upcoming election. In this issue, we covered the U.S. presidential candidates and the Filipino American candidates running for public office in Hawaii.

Voter eligibility

With your candidates to vote for in mind, it’s time to check for your voter eligibility.

You must be a U.S. citizen, a Hawaii resident, and at least 18 years old. Head to olvr.hawaii.gov/ to register to vote by entering your Hawaii Driver’s Licence or Hawaii State ID number and Social Security Number. On this website, you can also check your voter registration status and confirm your voter registration address.

Note that it is your responsibility as a voter to update your registration whenever there are changes in your name, residence, or mailing address between elections. Keeping your registration updated ensures that you will receive the mail-in ballots correctly and on time.

Mail-in ballot voting
Here are four steps you should know when casting your vote in the mail-in ballot. Once you receive your ballot, it is best to cast your vote as soon as you can to ensure you reach the deadline on election day, November 5 by 7pm.

1. The ballot will be sent to your mailing address as indicated in your voter registration.

2. The ballot arrives 18 days before General Election Day on November 5. The ballots should be in your mail anytime soon since the ballots are mailed out starting October 18.

3. Make sure to sign the returned envelope to ensure your ballot is counted. The mail ballot packet includes the ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and a prepaid postage return ballot envelope. To cast your vote, simply shade the circle next to your candidate’s name, then fold the ballot and place it in the secrecy sleeve. Carefully place the whole thing back into the return ballot envelope and make sure to sign the envelope.

4. Head to the nearest official drop box location within your area. Look for the big orange box with the large text written saying “OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP BOX.” To find the drop box near you, visit https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/.

In-person voting
The Voter Service Centers will be open 10 days business days before Election Day which will offer in-person voting and same-day registration from October 22 to November 5, 8am to 4:30pm, Mondays to Saturdays. For the list of locations, visit https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/.

Notes to remember

Mistakes happen but if you made a mistake on your ballot, do not attempt to correct it. There are instructions on your ballot on how to request a replacement ballot.

The envelope is pre-addressed and postage paid. Do not put a stamp on it.

Free ballot notifications are available for free. Simply sign up at elections.hawaii.gov or call (808) 453-VOTE (8683) for assistance with enrolling.

Beyond mail-in voting, accessible voting options are available for voters in need of assistance in filling in their ballot. Request an electronic ballot or visit the nearest voter service center to cast your ballot using accessible equipment.
Watch the Office of Elections’ video guide on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X81ATlsLXzU.

Your vote, your voice
The County Elections Division will verify your signature on the return envelope to confirm your identity. Once confirmed, your vote will be counted. If the envelope doesn’t have a signature, your mail-in ballot will be void and not counted.

Once your mail ballot is scanned, verified, and counted, you will not be able to vote in person. If you voted in person, your mail ballot packet will not be accepted. This is how the County Elections Division avoids vote duplicates.

For more information about voting in Hawaii, visit https://elections.hawaii.gov.