Register to Vote
Voter Registration for Hawaii Residents and Non-Resident Domestic Students
Participation
Participation in the election process in America is a constitutional right given to all citizens over 18 years of age. This provides every person with the opportunity to vote their choice in electing persons to office and helping to set the direction of our government. Individual involvement in the process allows us to exercise our franchise to vote and in doing so demonstrates our interest in accepting our responsibility as good citizens.
The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint has stated the following:
“As citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy. Participation in the political process affects our communities and nation today and in the future. Latter-day Saints as citizens are to seek out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity and are wise, good, and honest. Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties. Therefore …. we urge you to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then to vote for and actively support those you believe will most nearly carry out your ideas of good government.”*
Hawaii Voter Qualifications
- A citizen of the United States;
- A resident of Hawaii;
- At least 18 years of age;
For voter registration and election purposes, a resident must maintain a residence in the State of Hawaii and intend to make Hawaii their permanent residence at the time of election.
How to Register
An affidavit on application for voter registration may be obtained at one of the following locations:
- City/County Clerk’s Offices
- Hawaii State Libraries
- Office of Elections website
- Satellite City Halls
- State Agencies
- U.S. Post Offices
Information you must provide:
- Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Residence, including mailing address
- That the residence stated in the affidavit is not simply because of the person’s presence in the State, but that the residence was acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the person’s legal residence.
1998 Higher Education Act
The 1998 Higher Education Act requires 'all post-secondary institutions to make a good-faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to each degree- or certificate-seeking student who attends classes on campus.' The forms, which are supplied by each state, must be distributed before the registration cut-off date for every federal and gubernatorial election, as well as special elections for federal office.
- Title IV - Student Assistance, Part G - General Provisions 489. Program Participation Agreements
- b) PROVISION OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS
- (1) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT- Section 487(a) (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
- (23)(A) The institution, if located in a State to which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-2(b)) does not apply, will make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution.
- (B) The institution shall request the forms from the State 120 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote within the State. If an institution has not received a sufficient quantity of forms to fulfill this section from the State within 60 days prior to the deadline for registering to vote in the State, the institution shall not be held liable for not meeting the requirements of this section during that election year.
- (C) This paragraph shall apply to elections as defined in section 301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(1)), and includes the election for Governor or other chief executive within such State).
* Letter issued by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, September 11, 2008.