Honolulu Primary Voters Face an August 8 Deadline After Absentee-Ballot Request Cutoff

Honolulu voters who missed the August 1 absentee-ballot request deadline still have an in-person option, but the 2026 primary election ends Saturday, August 8, at 7 p.m.

The Honolulu Elections Division says the deadline for registered voters who are away from their Hawaii residence to request an absentee ballot mailed to an alternate address was 4:30 p.m. Saturday, August 1. That deadline has passed. It is separate from the final deadline for returning a voted ballot.

Voters can still cast ballots in person

Registered voters in the City and County of Honolulu may use a voter service center through Election Day. Traditional Election Day polling places will not be available for this election.

The primary voter service centers at Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St., and Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluohia St., are open from July 27 through Saturday, August 8. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, excluding Sundays. On Election Day, both sites are scheduled to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Two additional service centers begin operating Monday, August 3, with modified hours through Friday, August 7:

• Kaneohe District Park, 45-660 Keaahala Road, Kaneohe — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• George Fred Wright Wahiawa District Park, 1129 Kilani Ave., Wahiawa — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All voters registered in the City and County of Honolulu may vote at either listed service-center site, regardless of district assignment.

What happens on August 8

Voters choosing in-person voting should be in line at a voter service center by 7 p.m. Saturday. Hawaii News Now reported that voters in line by the 7 p.m. closing time may vote.

For voters returning a mail ballot, the Honolulu Elections Division says the voted ballot must be received by 7 p.m. August 8. Because the official deadline is based on receipt, voters should not wait until Election Day to mail a ballot unless they can confirm it will arrive by the deadline. Voters may also use an official place of deposit before it closes at 7 p.m. on August 8.

Bring identification and check before traveling

The Elections Division advises voters to bring identification to a voter service center. Acceptable forms include a state-issued driver’s license, state-issued identification card, valid passport, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, government document or paycheck showing the voter’s name and current address.

Voters without an acceptable ID may be asked for additional information to confirm their identity, which can take extra time. Election officials may also require a re-registration form when necessary.

Before leaving home, voters should confirm hours, service availability and ballot instructions with the Honolulu Elections Division. The city lists election assistance at (808) 768-3800. Hawaii News Now also reported the statewide voter-information number as (808) 453-VOTE (8683).

The key distinction for Honolulu voters is simple: the August 1 deadline to request an absentee ballot has passed, but in-person voting remains available at voter service centers. The final deadline for in-person voting and receipt of a voted mail ballot is 7 p.m. Saturday, August 8.

Sources

• Honolulu Elections Division calendar
• Hawaii News Now voter service center report