National Voter Registration Day 2026

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, September 15. Organized by the national coalition, Nonprofit VOTE, National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy and voting rights. As the coalition notes: “National Voter Registration Day is a day of civic unity. It’s an opportunity to set aside differences; enjoy the rights, responsibilities and opportunities we all share as Americans; and celebrate our democracy together.”

The League of Women Voters has led this effort for over a century as a nonpartisan, grassroots organization fighting to protect and expand voting rights and to ensure everyone is represented. Born out of the 1920’s Suffrage Movement, the League empowers voters through advocacy, education and litigation at all levels of government. Locally and nationally, the League works vigorously to stop voter suppression and support legislation to provide access to voter registration, voter education and the democratic process.

To continue this mission the League is partnering with the University of Hawaii’s Professional Assembly at UH Manoa to provide voter registration and education to the UH Community on National Voter Registration Day. Then, on Saturday, September 26 the Hawaii County League is partnering with the Hawaii County office of elections to provide voter registration in Hilo at KTA Puainako, Malama Market in Pahoa, Parker Ranch Center in Waimea and at KTA Kona, in Kona Coast Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona. Please stop by one of our sites to register or take this opportunity to register to vote online at elections.hawaii.gov. You can register to vote at this site or check to ensure that your registration is current. You may also sign up for ballot notifications which will notify you when your ballot has been mailed and when your voted ballot has been received and is ready to be counted.

We have our work cut out for us today considering Hawaii’s low voter turnout, which has declined in recent decades. In 1959, voter turnout for Hawaii as the new 50th state was a remarkable 84%. By contrast, 2026 primary election data shows that only 33.1% of registered voters statewide actually cast their vote. Today, this means a small minority are making critical choices for the rest of the population.

Imagine going to dinner with ten people and letting only three choose the meal for the entire table. The majority remains silent by choice, handing over its power to the vocal minority. Will everyone get to eat, how much will they be allowed to eat, and who will pay the tab?

Historical context and corruption contribute to low turnout and lack of trust in government. A deep wound remains embedded between the United States and the people of Hawaii dating back to the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893—a fact officially recognized by the 1993 Apology Resolution. A harmful narrative has emerged since then, discouraging Hawaiians to engage in the American electoral system, yet this just further silences their voices. It also goes against Hawaii’s last monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani, who fought for a constitution to reinstate the voting rights of native Hawaiians and their fellow Kingdom citizens that the 1887 “Bayonet Constitution” stripped away.

Let’s all seize the right and responsibility that our democracy demands! Our message remains clear: Your Vote is Your Voice. It’s your RIGHT and it MATTERS. Register and vote!

Shana Kukila, President
League of Women Voters of Hawai`i County