Elections in
Hawaii's 2026 midterm elections center on federal representation and state executive leadership, with three primary races scheduled for August 8, 2026. Voters will determine Democratic and Republican nominees for the state's 1st Congressional District, which encompasses urban Honolulu and the surrounding areas on Oahu. Additionally, Democrats will select their nominee for Lieutenant Governor, the state's second-highest executive office.
As an island state with distinct political traditions, Hawaii has historically shown strong Democratic voter preference, though all races require voter engagement to determine nominees who will advance to the general election. The 1st Congressional District race draws particular attention as it represents Hawaii's most populous region and plays a role in determining the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Lieutenant Governor serves alongside the Governor and assumes executive responsibilities in the Governor's absence, making this statewide primary consequential for Hawaii's governance.
Hawaii voters must be U.S. citizens, residents of the state, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. The state offers online voter registration through the Hawaii Office of Elections website, as well as in-person and mail registration options. Hawaii does not require voters to show photo identification at polling places, though first-time voters who registered by mail may need to provide identification.
The state provides early voting at walk-in sites starting 10 days before Election Day, and all registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot sent to their address on record. Voters can choose to return mail ballots by postal mail (postmarked by Election Day), drop them at secure ballot drop boxes, or vote in person at an early voting site or on Election Day at voter service centers. Hawaii's vote-by-mail system aims to increase accessibility across the state's multiple islands and remote communities.
Get updates when new races launch and results come in.