Below average number of open state legislative seats in Hawaii in 2026

by Nathan Maxwell, Ballotpedia, August 5, 2026 

Four seats are open in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the second-fewest since 2010, above only 2016 which had three. Newcomers are guaranteed 5% of the legislature next year.

Twenty-three incumbents face primary contests in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, matching the average since 2010 and up from 19 in 2024.

Twenty-one of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and two are Republicans. Democrats have a 21-3 majority in the state Senate with one vacancy and a 41-10 majority in the state House. Hawaii has had a Democratic trifecta since Democrats gained control of the governor’s office in 2011.

Hawaii has 33 contested state legislative primaries this year, below the average number of 37 contested primaries in Hawaii each cycle from 2010 to 2024.

In total, 144 major-party candidates filed to run—102 Democrats and 42 Republicans. All 51 House seats and 13 of the 25 Senate seats are up for election.

Hawaii’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for Aug. 8.

Hawaii State Senate elections, 2026
Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2026