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In 1960, 93 percent of Hawaii’s registered voters in the general election. In 2012, only about 62 percent of registered voters bothered to show up on Election Day.

What’s happened?

Hawaii has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. In the past few elections, only about 40 percent of the state’s registered voters have participated in the primary election. And that’s only about of all the people in Hawaii who are eligible to vote, registered or not.

We do better in the general election, but turnout has still been in the 50 percent range in non-presidential years and a bit above 60 percent in presidential election year. In 2008 when Hawaii’s native son, Barack Obama, was on the presidential ballot turnout climbed to 66 percent of registered voters. But in 2012, when Obama ran for re-election and won, our general election turnout faded to 62 percent.

We’d like to help improve those numbers this year. Here’s an easy place to find information on how you can participate fully in the democratic process. Check out our Hawaii Elections Guide 2014 for links to other information like campaign finance reports and candidates profiles.

And check back here as we add more information on resources and voting initiatives. The general election is Nov. 4.

For Voters

, including contact information for your local elections offices.

Find out what you’re in.

Find out what you’re in.

When to register:

• Voter registration deadline — General Election: Postmarked by Oct. 6

When to vote:

• Early voting (walk-in) — General Election: Oct. 21 – Nov. 1

Absentee voting

A registered voter may vote with an absentee ballot through the mail or in person. To vote by mail, submit an . Or write a letter to the where you are a registered to vote and ask for a ballot to be mailed to you.

On Oahu, the county clerk plans to mail primary ballots to those who have requested them on July 16. Ballots can be returned anytime after receiving them.

• First day to request and submit — Primary and General Elections: check with Hawaii Elections Office as the redistricting legal challenge set back the schedule for candidate certification and printing of elections materials.

• Last day to submit absentee ballot — General Election: Received by county clerk 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28

Get involved — Political parties

Democratic Party of Hawaii

Hawaii Republican Party

for more events as they’re posted.

Libertarian Party of Hawaii

for a newsletter and calendar.

The Green Party of Hawaii

for contact info and principles.

Free Energy Party of Hawaii

for recent candidates and information.

Hawaii Independent Party

for recent candidates and information.

Voter education and turnout resources

Read More About Voter Turnout in Hawaii

• Saturdays In The Park, Not The Precinct: Does Hawaii’s unusual Saturday primary present a barrier to voting?

• Voters Snooze Through Gov Primary, Mayor Race: In 2010, the last major election year, turnout was among the lowest ever in the state.

• Hawaii’s Vanishing Voter — Special Report On Voter Participation