Volunteer

Get involved in our elections!

The elections could not be conducted without the assistance, time, and dedication of hundreds of volunteers statewide!

Every even-numbered year, volunteers are needed:

  • July through August for the Primary Election
  • October through November for the General Election

Requirements

  • Must be 16 years old by June 30 of the election year.
  • Commit to the projected shift time.
  • Physical expectations vary by Counting Center Work Area.
  • No electronic mobile devices at the counting center.
  • Be aware of the security and integrity of ballots and election documents.
  • Candidates are not eligible to volunteer at the counting center.

Location

Volunteers serve at the counting center. There is one (1) established in each County:

  • Hilo, Hawaii
  • Wailuku, Maui
  • Lihue, Kauai
  • Honolulu, Oahu

Volunteer Positions

  • Counting Center Officials open, prepare, and process voted ballots through the counting center. There are different work areas within the counting center that you may volunteer for. Additionally, Counting Center Officials are asked to attend an orientation and read the work area manual before volunteering.
  • Official Observers serve as the “eyes and ears” of the public at the counting center. Official Observers test the voting equipment and monitor the handling and security of ballots at the counting center. Before working at the counting center, Official Observers are asked to attend an orientation, read the work area manual, and test and certify the voting equipment.

Counting Center Work Areas

Audit
The Audit Team confirms the result reports, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the voting equipment. The Audit Team may sit or stand while conducting the audit. The Audit Team should be able to carry voted ballot containers of up to 10 pounds between work areas.

Ballot Opening
The Ballot Opening Team opens the ballot return envelopes and removes the ballots for counting. Volunteers may be seated for most tasks, including removing the secrecy sleeves and unfolding the ballots. But volunteers may need to be able to stand for long periods of time to use the automatic letter opener and distribute and retrieve return envelopes for processing. Trays of return envelopes for processing and full voted ballot containers weigh up to 10 pounds. Additionally, repetitive motions of standing to crouching may be required to pack empty return envelopes into discard boxes.

Duplication
The Duplication Team tracks defective ballots and recreates one-for-one duplicates to count. The Duplication Team receives and returns control packets of defective and duplicated ballots which requires walking between counting center work areas. Additionally, the Duplication Team works in sub-groups which may require some walking to pass out and collect ballots. Duplication Team Members may be required to handle the duplicate ballot stock containers of up to 10 pounds.

VBC Processing
The VBC Processing Team controls the counting, tabulation, and security of the voted ballots. The VBC Processing Team will be lifting and moving VBCs and equipment which range from 10-20 pounds. This work area also requires a lot of walking and repetitive motion related to transferring VBCs to and from the scanner stations and sealing materials.

Official Observers
Official Observers serve as the “eyes and ears” of the public. Official Observers test the voting equipment and monitor the handling and security of ballots at the counting center. Official Observers may be required to stand for long periods of time during shifts that may be more than 12 hours. Additionally, Official Observers walk between work areas to monitor the transfer and handling of voted ballots. Official Observers are expected to monitor operations of the counting center for the duration of the assigned shift and ensure coverage within the counting center.

Sign up

Please complete a volunteer application, based on the island you reside on, to provide your availability (indicate as many or as few dates as you are interested in participating).

Hawaii Island (Hilo)

Maui (Wailuku)

Kauai (Lihue)

Oahu (Honolulu)


Last Updated on March 1, 2024