Accessible Voting in Hawaii
For the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 General Election in Hawaii
- Same day voter registration is available.
- All registered voters are mailed a ballot.
- Early voting locations are open before Election Day
- Voters with disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Accessible Voting Tips
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
If you need more information or assistance using your right to vote, these organizations can help
- Visit your state Voters Requiring Assistance page or call (800) 442-VOTE (8683) for the options available in your state.
- Contact your local election office for help voting and details about local support for accessible voting.
- Your local Center for Independent Living has information and other support.
- Call your state National Disability Rights Network (NRDN) Protection & Advocacy office if someone is interfering with your right to vote.
- If you are a first-time voter or moved recently, check the voter ID requirements in your state. VoteRiders has information about the types of identification accepted.
- You can also call 1-800-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting.
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to:
- Vote privately and independently
- At an accessible polling place
- Using an accessible voting system
If you need assistance you can:
- Ask an election worker, or
- Bring someone to help you
You may request your local election officials to tell you about any voting aids, voting assistance, and absentee ballot procedures that are available.
Election officials must make any reasonable accommodations you need to vote. This might include
- A place to sit if you have trouble standing
- A quiet, private place to vote
You cannot be refused the right to vote because an election worker thinks your disability means you are not qualified to vote.
Open the sections on this page to learn more about accessible options for early voting, voting in person on election day, and voting by mail.
Accessible voting features in Hawaii for voters with disabilities
- Check with your local election office to see if you can vote by mail for all elections.
- Voters with print disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Ask your local election office about other support for accessible voting, like:
- Election and voting information in large print, audio, or Braille versions.
- Curbside or drive-up voting, so you don’t have to get out of your car.
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill.
- How to get assistance in marking and casting your ballot.
- Other services or assistance for voters with disabilities.
- An opportunity to practice using the accessible voting system.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program.
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
October 29 through November 7, Monday through Saturday, early voting is available at your Voter Service Center between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- Same-day registration is available at all early voting locations.
- All voters are asked to show identification.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Voter service centers are open from 7 am to 7 pm.
- Same-day registration is available at all Election Day voting locations.
- First-time voters are asked to show identification.
- Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.
- You can drop off your mail ballot at all Election Day voting locations.
Find your polling place.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Hawaii are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch
Electronic voting system.
It has a touch screen, audio,and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
Ballots are cast electronically.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 1:30)
|
Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 8.
How to get your ballot
- All registered voters are mailed a ballot.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At a secure drop box
At your local elections office
At a voting location on Election Day
At an early voting location
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Postage is pre-paid so you don't need a stamp.
Return your ballot promptly. Postmarks don't count.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
In Hawaii, the accessible vote by mail program is run by the local elections offices
Voters with disabilities may request an Alternative Format Ballot (AFB) from their county elections office.
The AFB will be electronically transmitted to voters who may download and mark their ballot privately and independently using their own assistive technology.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 8.
Returning a printed ballot
- Print the marked ballot and check it to be sure it is marked correctly
- Follow the instructions to complete and sign any forms
- Seal the ballot in the envelope that was included in the package sent to you
You can return your ballot:
- By mail
Returning your ballot electronically
You have the option for electronic ballot return:
- By email
- By fax
The systems in use in Hawaii for accessible voting by mail are:
Five Cedars/Enhanced Voting Alternative Ballot
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Electronic ballot delivery to mark and print in a single HTML file.
Offers large print PDF ballots.
Creates a summary list-style ballot with warnings about missed opportunities to make a selection.
Claims WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance.
Learn more about using the Alternative Ballot
Learn more about accessible voting options in Hawaii