Voters Requiring Assistance

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

Voter Registration

Individuals helping must refrain from explicit or implicit discriminatory or coercive voter registration practices. Both are prohibited.

Individuals or organizations that are assisting with voter registration may not duplicate, copy, or otherwise  make use of any information provided on the voter registration application. It is unlawful for any person  to use, print, publish, or distribute information acquired directly or indirectly from voter registration applications.

Voting by Mail

All registered voters receive a mail ballot packet approximately eighteen (18) days prior to the election. Voters with special needs may request for an accessible electronic ballot from their County Elections  Division. The accessible electronic ballot will be electronically transmitted to voters who may download and mark their ballot privately and independently using their own assistive technology. Voters have the option to return the voted ballot electronically to their County Elections  Division or by using the return ballot envelope that was included in their mail ballot packet.

Voters may access a demonstration electronic ballot through the Hawaii Accessible Electronic Ballot System. To access the system, enter the following login information.

First Name: Jane
Last Name: Demo
Date of Birth: 01/01/1950
Access PIN: 090909

Voting at a Voter Service Center

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. Click here to view a video of the Verity Touch Writer.

Individuals Providing Voting Assistance

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

  • Reach out to family members to get them involved in the process of registration and voting.
  • Ensure that the resident meets all the qualifications to register to vote.
  • When providing assistance in voting, staff must remain nonpartisan and there should be at least two people of differing political affiliation present.
  • No one may ask a voter to see or look at the contests of their ballot or choice of political affiliation.
  • No one may mark a person’s ballot or direct a person in voting without authorization.
  • An attempt to vote in  the name of another without specific authorization is illegal.

The following actions constitute voter and election fraud:

  • A person who directly or indirectly offers to give valuable consideration and/or offer money to any voter to induce that voter to vote or refrain from voting for any particular person.
  • A person who directly or indirectly, personally or through another person, threatens, forces or intimidates a voter to refrain from voting, or to vote for any particular person or party at any election.
  • A person who votes or attempts to vote in the name of any other person, living or dead, or in some fictitious name.
  • A person who has already voted and knowingly attempts to vote again.
  • A person who knowingly gives or attempts to give more than one ballot for the same office at the time  of voting.

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.


Last Updated on February 6, 2024