Presidential Elections
Hawaii does not have a presidential primary or provisions for write-in voting. For information regarding presidential caucuses, please contact theQualified Political Parties.
Candidates for U.S. president and vice president may appear on the general election ballot in one of two ways:
- As a nominee of a political party qualified to place candidates on the primary or general election ballot; or
- As a nominee of a party or group not otherwise qualified to place candidates on the ballot, but for the fact that the group has met the presidential petition requirements.
All candidates must be a natural born citizen of the United States, a resident of the United States for 14 years prior to the election, and at least 35 years of age.
The application must include:
- The names and address of each of the two candidates
- A statement that each candidate is legally qualified to serve under the provisions of the United States Constitution
- A statement that candidates are duly chosen candidates of both the state and national party, giving time, place, and manner of selection
To request a presidential petition, submit the following to the Office of Elections:
Upon receipt of the completed application form and notarized statements of intent, the Office of Elections will issue the petition.
The petition must contain5,223 signatures of currently registered voters in the State of Hawaii. This constitutes not less than one percent of the votes cast in the State at the last presidential election.
In the 2024 presidential election 522,236 votes were cast.
A voter may withdraw their signature from a petition, as long as the petition has not been filed. A notice must be submitted to the chief election officer that includes the voter’s name, residence address, the month and date portions of the voter’s date of birth, the voter’s signature, and a statement that the voter wishes to remove the voter’s signature from the petition. The chief election officer will notify the group or individual that the signature will not be counted.
The deadline to file a presidential petition isAugust 9, 2028, 4:30 pm and the petition must be accompanied by a sworn application.
The sworn application must include:
- The names and address of each of the two candidates
- A statement that each candidate is legally qualified to serve under the provisions of the United States Constitution
- A statement that candidates are duly chosen candidates of both the state and national party, giving time, place, and manner of selection
The applicant and candidates will be notified of their eligibility or disqualification for placement on the ballot before 4:30 pm on the tenth business day after filing.
An objection can be made to the eligibility or disqualification by the applicant or any other party, individual, or group with a candidate on the presidential ballot. The objection must be filed in writing with the chief election officer by 4:30 pm on the fifth day after the initial determination. A hearing will be commenced no later than 4:30 pm on the tenth day after receipt of the objection. A decision will be issued no later than 4:30 pm on the fifth day after the conclusion of the hearing.
Presidential Electors and Alternates
The State of Hawaii has four (4) electoral votes. The certified names and addresses of the four (4) presidential electors and a first and second alternate for each elector; along with thePresidential Elector and Alternate Presidential Elector Pledge must be submitted to the chief election officer by:
September 8, 2028, 4:30 pm
The electors and their alternates must be registered voters in the State of Hawaii.
Electoral College
The presidential electors will assemble at the State Capitol on:
December 19, 2028, 2:00 pm
Learn more aboutElectoral College.
For complete information, please refer to U.S. Constitution, Article, II, Section 1; and HRS §§11-6, 11-113, and Chapter 14.
Last Updated on December 26, 2024