Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee

The Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee ensures equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots, and all other election services.

The committee shall meet annually to review election procedures, services, and technology and access to information, and shall make recommendations to the Office of Elections.

News and Announcements

Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee Survey for Voters with Disabilities 

In the News: Mail-in voting still presents obstacles for people with disabilities

 

Meeting Notice

DateTimeLocationAgendaMeeting Materials

Meeting Notice

Sign up for the email list to receive notices for upcoming Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee meetings, materials, and newsletters.

Composition

The committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor. Each member shall identify as a voter with special needs arising from physical disabilities including visual and hearing impairments that require an accommodation to vote.

The terms of advisory committee members shall be four years.

For complete information, please refer to HRS §11-10.5.

Members

NameTerm Expires
James Gashel6/30/2027
Kathryn Keim6/30/2025
Patricia Morrissey6/30/2025
Sheryl Nelson6/30/2026
VacantTBD

Meetings

DateAgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes/Written Summary
October 10, 2024AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
June 20, 2024AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
May 7, 2024AgendaNo Meeting Materials for this meeting.VideoMinutes
April 2, 2024AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
March 12, 2024AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
February 6, 2024
Note: This meeting was cancelled.
Agenda
January 12, 2024AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
November 14, 2023AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
October 3, 2023AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
September 5, 2023AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
May 23, 2023AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoMinutes
February 15, 2023AgendaMeeting Materials
Supplemental Meeting Materials
VideoMinutes
December 7, 2022AgendaN/AN/AMinutes
September 23, 2022AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoWritten Summary
July 1, 2022AgendaMeeting MaterialsVideoWritten Summary
June 23, 2022AgendaN/AVideoWritten Summary

Contact
Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee
c/o Office of Elections
802 Lehua Avenue
Pearl City, HI 96782

Phone: (808) 453-8683
Email: [email protected]


Voter Information

Keep voter registration current 

Ballots are mailed to the mailing address associated with your voter registration. If you move to a new residence, change your mailing address or name, you must update your voter registration. By law, ballots cannot be forwarded through the mail.

You may check online or contact your County Elections Division to confirm that your registration record is current.

You can update your voter registration using the Online Voter Registration System or by completing a paper Voter Registration Application.

Receiving Your Ballot

You will receive a mail ballot packet at least 18 days prior to the election.

Your packet consists of a ballot, ballot secrecy sleeve, and a prepaid postage return ballot envelope.

Voters with special needs may request for an electronic ballot through the Voter Registration Application or by contacting their County Elections Division.

Returning Your Ballot

You may return your voted ballot by mail or in person at a designated place of deposit within your county. Voted ballots must be received by your County Elections Division by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Tracking Your Ballot

Sign up to receive ballot alerts.  Avoid missing the ballot return deadline by signing up for free ballot alerts!  Visit hawaii.ballottrax.net or call (808) 453-VOTE (8683) for assistance with enrolling.  You can choose to receive text, email, and voice alerts for when your ballot is on its way, and reminders to return your ballot as the deadline approaches.

Voters Requiring Assistance

If you’re in need of assistance with casting your ballot, consider the following accessible options:

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. An electronic ballot is an alternative ballot that can be marked from a compatible device. This ensures accessibility to allow voters to mark their ballot privately and independently. Click here for a demonstration ballot of the Alternate Format Ballot (AFB).

Requesting for an electronic ballot

Options to request an electronic ballot are:

Online Voter Registration System – A Hawaii Driver’s License or Hawaii State ID is required to access the system.

Voter Registration Application – Complete the paper application and submit it to the County Elections Division.

Driver license and State ID applications – Voter registration and the option to sign up for an electronic ballot are included with the driver’s license and state ID applications at the DMV.
Receiving your electronic ballot

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.

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.

Remember, you have the right to ask for assistance in the registration and voting process.  If you need assistance completing a voter registration application, using the Online Voter Registration System, or marking ballot, you are permitted to have a trusted individual, like a family member or caregiver, provide you with the help you need.


Additional Resources

Click here to view episodes from our Hawaii Votes Program. The Hawaii Votes Program is a monthly program hosted by the Office of Elections covering various election and voting topics.

Sign up here to receive email newsletters from the Office of Elections

Tips for Election Workers: How to Assist Voters with Disabilities. Prepared by the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee for the State of Hawaii Office of Elections and County Elections Divisions.

The Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities

For more information about elections and voting, visit elections.hawaii.gov or call (808) 453-VOTE (8683).


Last Updated on September 20, 2024