MAIL REGISTRATION IN HAWAII

The Wikiwiki Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration Form is a self-subscribing affidavit designed to make voter registration more accessible and convenient to the residents of Hawaii.

CONVENIENCE OF MAIL REGISTRATION

The State of Hawaii was one of the first states to implement its mail-in voter registration in 1990, far ahead of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which mandated all states to provide mail-in voter registration by January 1, 1995.

Voter registration by mail is convenient for busy residents, as well as persons with disabilities, home-bound voters, voters living in isolated areas, and voters living overseas. Completing the Wikiwiki voter registration form and mailing it directly to the Office of the City or County Clerk allows a person to register to vote without having to appear in person before a deputy registrar at a government office, or designated voter registration location.

WHERE TO OBTAIN WIKIWIKI VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS

Wikiwiki Voter Registration forms are available at various locations statewide, including:

• Phone Directories

• Public libraries

• U.S. Post Offices

• Office of the City/County Clerk

• Satellite City Hall locations

• Most State agencies

• Office of Elections website: www.hawaii.gov/elections

WHO IS QUALIFIED TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

Pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, Article II, Section 1, a voter

registration applicant must meet the following qualifications:

1. A citizen of the United States

Individuals from Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are considered

U.S.

citizens. Individuals from American Samoa are considered

U.S.

nationals and NOT qualified to vote (unless they are natural born or naturalized U.S. citizens).

2. A resident of the State of Hawaii

For voter registration and election purposes, a resident must maintain a residence address in the State of Hawaii and intend to make Hawaii his or her permanent residence.

3. At least eighteen years of age

Pre-registration is allowed at age 16. You must be 18 years old by election day to vote.

PRE-REGISTRATION

Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §11-12 allows an individual who is otherwise qualified to register and is at least sixteen years of age, to pre-register upon satisfactory proof of age and be automatically registered upon reaching age eighteen.

RE-REGISTRATION

You must re-register if you have . . .

• legally changed your name; or

• moved and your residency is a different location in the State of Hawaii since the last election.

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS (OHA) REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY

In accordance with the U.S. Supreme court ruling in Rice v. Cayetano, all

registered voters are also qualified to vote in OHA elections.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

Primary Election: August 21, 2008

General Election: October 6, 2008

WHAT ABOUT FRAUD?

Safeguards are built into the process to protect against fraud. The law requires election officials to verify the residence addresses of all voters by mailing each voter a Notice of Voter Registration and Address Confirmation Card.

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §19-3.5:

"The following persons shall be guilty of a Class C felony*:

(1)

Any person who knowingly registers another person to vote when that person is not entitled to register to vote;

(2)

Any person who knowingly votes when the person is not entitled to vote;

(3)

Any person who knowingly takes an oath in this title prescribed or authorized by law and willfully makes any false statement of fact while under oath therein; or

(4)

Any person who willfully makes a false answer to any question asked of the person while under oath in this title prescribed or authorized by law.”

*Any person who knowingly provides false information on the Application on Affidavit for Voter Registration may be guilty of a Class C felony, punishable by up to five (5) years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

This Factsheet is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as an authority on the Hawaii election law and deadlines. Requirements and/or deadlines may change pending changes in legislation. Consult the Hawaii Revised Statues and other sources for more detailed and accurate requirements.

Office of Elections 802 Lehua Avenue Pearl City, Hawaii 96782 Phone: 808-453-VOTE(8683) Neighbor Island Toll Free: 1-800-442-VOTE(8683)

Office of Elections - FSVS519H rev. 7/27/07