KAUAʻI — With the 2026 General Election just one day away, Kauaʻi residents are reminded that completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to be counted.
According to the County of Kauaʻi Elections Division, ballots must be received by the deadline, not simply postmarked. Residents who have yet to vote should use an official ballot drop box or vote in person rather than rely on mail delivery.
For West Kauaʻi residents, official ballot drop boxes are available at:
- Hanapēpē Public Library: 4490 Kona Road
- Waimea Neighborhood Center: 4556 Makeke Road
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center: 4480 Papalina Road
All three locations are accessible 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Residents who prefer to vote in person, need assistance or have not registered may visit the Voter Service Center in the basement of the Historic County Annex Building at 4386 Rice Street in Līhuʻe. The center will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and offers same-day voter registration for eligible residents.
Three ballot measures up for decision
In addition to choosing candidates for public office, Kauaʻi voters will decide two proposed amendments to the Hawaiʻi State Constitution and one amendment to the Kauaʻi County Charter.
State Constitutional Amendment Question 1 proposes extending the Hawaiʻi Senate’s review period for certain judicial appointments from 30 to 60 days when appointments are made between April 1 and Dec. 31, while the Senate is not in regular session or is about to adjourn.
The change is intended to provide more time to review appointments and potentially reduce the need for costly special legislative sessions.
State Constitutional Amendment Question 2 proposes authorizing a new financing mechanism known as Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity (RISE) bonds. The measure would direct the Legislature to authorize counties to issue bonds for public improvements, including infrastructure supporting housing and community development.
The bonds would be repaid through future growth in property tax revenues within designated districts, rather than increases in property tax rates, and would be excluded from county debt limits.
The Kauaʻi County Charter Amendment proposes removing references to the Zoning Board of Appeals from the county charter to clarify and expedite the Planning Commission’s appeals process.
Although established in 2016, the Zoning Board of Appeals has never been used. Appeals are currently handled by the Planning Commission or hearings officers. The amendment would align the charter with that existing process.
Why blank votes matter
Under Hawaiʻi’s Constitution, the two statewide amendments must satisfy two requirements to pass: receive a majority of votes tallied on each question, excluding blanks and overvotes, and receive affirmative votes equal to at least 50% of all ballots cast, including blanks and overvotes.
As a result, leaving either statewide amendment question unanswered has the same practical effect as voting “no” when determining whether the amendment passes, although it is not recorded as an actual “no” vote.
These particular approval requirements apply to the state constitutional amendments, not automatically to the Kauaʻi County Charter question.
Westside Ledger previously published a breakdown explaining what a “yes” or “no” vote means for each of the three proposed amendments.
Ballot tracking and additional information
Voters can check the status of their returned ballots through Hawaiʻi’s BallotTrax system.
For additional information, including island-wide ballot drop box locations and voting procedures, visit the County of Kauaʻi Elections Division or the Hawaiʻi State Office of Elections.
Residents may also contact the county Elections Division at 808-241-4800.
All completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.