Candidate Filing Begins – Here’s What You Need to Know

Aloha from the Office of Elections! 

February is an exciting time for elections across the State! Candidate Filing is now underway, and our office, along with the Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and City and County of Honolulu Elections Divisions, are ready to assist those interested in running for office.

What is Candidate Filing?

You might see sign-waving on the streets or campaign posts on social media, but a person isn’t officially a candidate in Hawaii’s elections until they complete the Candidate Filing process. This is how names get on the ballot!

How Does It Work?

Request Nomination Papers
Candidates begin by applying for nomination papers, which are official documents used to collect signatures from registered voters in their district.
Gather Signatures
Each candidate must collect a specific number of valid signatures, depending on the office they’re running for.
Verification & Oath
Election officials verify the signatures, and once complete, the candidate takes an oath confirming they meet the qualifications for office.

Who Can Run?

Qualifications vary by office. For example, U.S. Representatives must be at least 25 years old. You can explore the full list of requirements on our Become a Candidate page.

When Is Candidate Filing?

Candidate Filing runs from February 2, 2026, through June 2, 2026. Mark your calendars!

What Offices Are Up for Election?

There are over 100 seats on the ballot this year, including:

Federal Offices: 2 U.S. Representative seats
State Offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 13 State Senate seats, 51 State Representative seats, and 5 Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee seats
County Offices: Councilmembers across all counties, plus Mayor for Maui and Kauai

Check out the full list on our Contest Schedule page.

Want to See Who’s Running?

Follow the Candidate Report, updated daily, to see who’s filed to run. Later this year, you’ll also hear directly from the candidates in our digital voter guide, available at elections.hawaii.gov.

Thinking About Running?

If you’re considering a run for office, we’ve got you covered. Visit the Become a Candidate page for a complete guide to getting started.