Candidates

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Becoming a Candidate

Candidate filing for the 2026 election cycle will open on February 2, 2026 and end on June 2, 2026.

The filing deadline is Tuesday June 2nd at 4:30 pm.

Nomination Papers: Issue:

Online
In person (please call and make an appointment)

File:

In person (please call and make an appointment)

Candidate checklist:

Signatures: Collect more than the minimum number of required signatures. If a voter’s registration cannot be verified, it will not count toward the requirement. Come prepared with extra signatures.

Voter guide statement: Submit your candidate statement and photo for the voter guide before you come into file.

Filing fee: Filing fee payable in cash, cashier’s check, certified check, or money order. Credit cards, debit cards, and personal checks are not accepted.

Hilo

Office of the County Clerk
25 Aupuni St., Suite 1502
Hilo, HI 96720

Phone: (808) 961-8277

Email: hiloelec@hawaiicounty.gov

Kona

West Hawai'i Civic Center (Satellite Office)
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Building D, 1st Floor
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone: (808) 323-4400

Qualifications for Offices up for Election

Office	Districts	Term	Qualifications
Federal Offices
U.S. Representative	I and II	2 years Jan. 2027 to Jan. 2029	• U.S. citizen for 7 years • Inhabitant of Hawaii when elected • At least 25 years of age
State Offices
Governor	State of Hawaii	4 years Dec. 2026 to Dec. 2030	• Resident of Hawaii for not less than 5 years immediately preceding the election • Registered voter of Hawaii • At least 30 years of age
Lieutenant Governor	State of Hawaii	4 years Dec. 2026 to Dec. 2030	• Resident of Hawaii for not less than 5 years immediately preceding the election • Registered voter of Hawaii • At least 30 years of age
State Senate	2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21, 25	4 years Nov. 2026 to Nov. 2030	• Resident of Hawaii for not less than 3 years prior to election • Qualified voter of the appropriate State Senatorial District prior to filing
State Representative	1 – 51	2 years Nov. 2026 to Nov. 2028	• Resident of Hawaii for not less than 3 years prior to election • Qualified voter of the appropriate State Representative District prior to filing
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee	Maui Resident Trustee, Oahu Resident Trustee, At-Large Trustee (3 seats)	4 years Nov. 2026 to Nov. 2030	• Resident of respective island for seats requiring residence • Registered voter of Hawaii
County of Hawaii Offices
Councilmember	1 – 9	2 years Dec. 2026 to Dec. 2028	• Resident and registered voter of the Council District at least 90 days prior to primary election • Qualified voter of Hawaii County for at least 1 year prior to election

For more information on becoming a candidate, Click Here!