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Can you vote with a felony in Hawaii?

The short answer

After prison.

In Hawaii, people lose the right to vote only while in prison for a felony. It comes back on release, including on parole or probation.

In Hawaii, a person sentenced for a felony cannot vote while imprisoned. A person who is placed on probation, or who is paroled after imprisonment, may register and vote during the probation or parole. The Office of Elections says people held before trial can vote.2,4

Checked October 22, 2026 against 6 sources, starting with Hawaii law, then by a second reader.

  1. In prison for a felonyCan't vote2,4,5
  2. On paroleCan vote2,4,5
  3. On probationCan vote2,4,5
  4. Sentence completeCan vote after registering again1,2,4
Check with Hawaii's election office

Before you register

Your state or county election office can confirm your own status, for free. Voting while ineligible can carry criminal penalties, so if anything about your case is unclear, ask them first. The general election is November 3, 2026; registration deadlines are on vote.gov.

How the right comes back

Automatically

HRS § 831-2(a) bars voting from the time of a felony sentence until final discharge, except that a person placed on probation, or paroled after commitment to imprisonment, may vote during the probation or parole; the Hawaii Constitution (art. II, sec. 2) allows voting 'upon the person's final discharge or earlier as provided by law.' The Office of Elections says such a person 'may register and vote' during that period. No application is described. Under HRS § 11-23, the county clerk may remove from the register a person reported as having lost voting rights under § 831-2, and a person removed 'may reregister to vote.'1,2,3,4

Fines, fees and restitution

Not required

HRS § 831-2(a) and the Office of Elections tie the right only to imprisonment, probation, parole and final discharge; neither makes voting depend on paying fines, fees or restitution.2,4

Registering again

Yes

Once the right is back, Hawaii requires a new voter registration before voting.3,4

Misdemeanors and jail

HRS § 831-2 and Haw. Const. art. II, sec. 2 apply to a person sentenced for, or convicted of, a felony. The official pages reviewed do not mention misdemeanors.1,2,4

The Office of Elections' May 2026 newsletter says a person can vote as a pre-trial detainee.5

The law

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This page explains Hawaii's general rules from its law and election office. It isn't legal advice, and a case can turn on the details of a sentence. The election office can confirm your status.

Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.

Cite this page

Second Chance Index, "Can you vote with a felony in Hawaii?" https://secondchanceindex.com/voting-rights/hawaii, checked October 22, 2026.

Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 22, 2026.

  1. Haw. Const. art. II, § 2
  2. HRS § 831-2(a)
  3. HRS § 11-23
  4. Voters with a Felony Conviction (last updated March 3, 2021)Hawaii Office of Elections
  5. Office of Elections Newsletter, May 2026Hawaii Office of Elections
  6. 2026 Proposed Amendments to the Hawaii State ConstitutionHawaii Office of Elections