When you vote in Hawaiʻi, your ballot reflects three distinct levels of government: federal (United States), state (Hawaiʻi), and local (county). Each level handles different issues, and each has its own elected officials.
Here's a quick breakdown.
Federal government: your voice in Washington D.C.
The federal government handles issues that affect the entire country: immigration, national defense, Social Security, Medicare, federal tax policy, and more.
Hawaiʻi sends four elected representatives to Washington:
- Two U.S. Senators, who represent the entire state. Senators serve six-year terms, and Hawaiʻi's two Senate seats are not up for election at the same time. Our current Senators are Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.
- Two U.S. Representatives, one for each of Hawaiʻi's two congressional districts. Representatives serve two-year terms, which means they're up for election every cycle.
Congressional District 1 (CD1) covers urban Honolulu, and is currently represented by Ed Case; read here about our collective efforts to replace Ed Case with someone who actually cares about the people of Hawaiʻi.
Congressional District 2 (CD2) covers the rest of Oʻahu and all of the neighboring islands. It is currently represented by Jill Tokuda.
Federal elections follow the primary/general structure. In Hawai'i, because it is a solidly Democratic state, the Democratic primary in August is usually where the real decision gets made. That means that if you want to determine who represents you in Washington DC, you need to vote in the primary – not just in the general elections. Read our guide: What's the difference between a primary and a general election in Hawaiʻi?
And if you haven't done so yet, please register to vote – it's a quick and easy process here in Hawaiʻi.
State government: your voice in the legislature
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature handles issues specific to Hawaiʻi: education, housing, healthcare, land use, state taxes, and more. It is made up of two chambers:
- The State Senate, which has 25 members. Senators serve four-year terms.
- The State House of Representatives, which has 51 members. Representatives serve two-year terms.
Hawai'i also elects a Governor and Lieutenant Governor, who lead the executive branch of state government and sign or veto legislation passed by the legislature.
State legislative districts do not align with federal congressional districts — they are drawn separately and cover smaller geographic areas. This means your state senator and state representative represent a different (usually smaller) slice of Hawaiʻi than your federal representative does.
You can find your state legislative districts on the Hawaiʻi State Legislature website.
Local government: your voice in the county
Hawaiʻi has four counties, each with its own elected government:
- City and County of Honolulu (most of Oʻahu)
- County of Maui (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe)
- County of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island)
- County of Kauaʻi (Kauaʻi and Niʻihau)
Each county elects a Mayor and a County Council. Local government handles issues that affect your day-to-day life most directly: roads, parks, local zoning and land use, water, and county-level services.
County council districts are drawn separately from both state and federal districts, which means the boundaries on your ballot can feel confusing. Your county elections office is the best place to find out exactly which districts you live in.
All three levels on one ballot
In most election years, races from all three levels of government appear on the same ballot. This can make your ballot feel long — but it also means that by voting once, you're shaping decisions at every level, from who represents you in Washington to who sits on your local county council.
Ready to vote?
If you're not yet registered, start here: How to register to vote in Hawaiʻi.
Already registered? Here's what to expect: How to vote in Hawaiʻi.