The United States Postal Service has sent out cards to every postal customer in Hawaii, advising them to apply for an absentee ballot at least 15 days before Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020.  That is not applicable in Hawaii.

All registered voters will automatically get a mail-in ballot, which may be returned postage-paid by mail or returned to any of 8 secure Ballot Drop Boxes around the island.  Voters may also return ballots to one of the two Voter Service Centers in Hilo or Kona, or take ballots to the election offices at the Hilo County Building and West Hawaii Civic Center by Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

The State Legislature voted for all-mail voting in 2019, well before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The one exception to the need to request a ballot is if a voter will not be at their primary address and wants to receive their ballot elsewhere.  The deadline to request an alternate mailing address, i.e. “request an absentee ballot,” is Oct. 27, 2020.  Requests may be submitted at elections.hawaii.gov

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 5.  Registration may be online at elections.hawaii.gov or at the Elections Office at West Hawaii Civic Center or the Hilo County Building.

Ballots for Hawaii County will be mailed to voters on Oct. 7, 2020.  If you do not get your ballot by Oct. 14, you should call the Elections Office at 808-961-8277.

The one suggestion on the card that does apply is advice to mail the ballot back at least 7 days before Election Day.  Ballots should be in the mail by Oct. 27, 2020, if you plan to mail your ballot.

There is more information at the Hawaii County Elections Office website.