How to register and cast your Hawaii primary vote

HONOLULU (KHON2) Hundreds of thousands of voters across Hawaii are starting to receive primary election ballots due back by August 10. Here’s a how-to on registering, researching your candidates and casting your ballot.

County clerks statewide started mailing out primary ballots last week. If you don’t get it by Tuesday, July 23, here’s what to do:

“I would give your local county clerk’s office a call,” explains Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago, “Because there may be something wrong with your registration.”

You can check your registration status online or register to vote online or in person at county clerk’s offices, and voter service centers when they open July 29. This is Hawaii’s third full election cycle of vote-by-mail, with in-person options still. There is at least one voter service center per island plus some popups.

New this year per state law: a digital voter guide, to help you research and make your choices.

“We wanted to make it more useful for voters, so they didn’t have to wade through all the candidates to figure out which contest belonged to them,” Nago said, “so we made it interactive, where if you type in your address, it’ll just give you the gear your specific contest and candidates.”

About 90 percent of candidates provided a statement, photo and link for more information.

One you make your choices, select one party on the front and only vote for that party’s candidates as this is a primary. There are more options and nonpartisan races to also be sure to vote on the back. If you make a mistake request a new ballot.

Put your voted ballot into a secrecy sleeve and into the return envelope, seal it and sign it with your signature matching your state ID or voter registration.

Submit it at any yellow voter drop-box, voter service center, or by mail, but it must be received — not just postmarked — by 7 p.m. on primary election day August 10.

You can watch you ballot every step of the way by signing up for BallotTrax.

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“It will let you know when your ballot is been created, to see to when your ballot should be arriving in the mail,” Nago said. “Once you vote your ballot and turn it in, it will let you know if your ballot has been received, so basically tracking your ballot for you.”