The voting process can be bewildering, particularly if you're a first-time voter in your area. With midterm voting day fast approaching, it's a good idea to make a plan for how, when, and where to vote in order to be able to prepare appropriately. Here, we've put together a voting checklist guide with everything you need to know about how to vote in midterms.
What Are Midterm Elections?
Midterm elections are general elections that are held in the middle of a president's four-year term. Depending on which state you live in, midterm elections may include elections for Representatives, Senators, governors, or other local officials (such as mayors). In the 2022 midterms, all 50 states will participate in elections for Representatives, 34 states will participate in Senate elections, and 36 states will elect governors.
When Are Midterm Elections Held?
This year, midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
How Do I Become Eligible to Vote?
In order to vote, you must first register to vote.
Before registering to vote in Hawaii, make sure you meet the following requirements:
you are a US citizen
you are a resident of Hawai'i
you are at least 18 years old
Voter registration can be completed in several different ways, including:
printing the voter registration application, completing it, and returning it to the County Elections Division
using Hawaii's online voter registration system (requires a Hawaii driver's license or state ID card, and your social security number)
completing the same-day registration process at voter service centers
Where Do I Vote?
In Hawaii, you have the option to vote either in-person or by mail.
All registered voters will receive a ballot at the address associated with their voter registration. To vote by mail, follow the instructions on the ballot you receive in the mail, then put it in the mail or drop it off at a designated ballot deposit place. Keep in mind that ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day to be counted, so if you intend to mail your ballot in, make sure you adequately account for postage time.
To vote in person, you must go to a designated voter service center. It's wise to bring a copy of your ID and voter registration card, just in case.
You can find a list of ballot drop boxes and voter service centers here.
Which Elections or Candidates Can I Vote For?
To see which races you'll be voting in and view candidates ahead of time, you can use the Office of Elections website.
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