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HRS §11-151

How votes are counted in each race or question

This section explains how election officials count votes for each race or question on a ballot, except for ranked-choice voting. If the number of votes is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled, they count the votes. If there are more votes than positions, they do not count that race or question. For questions needing a majority, blank, spoiled, or invalid ballots are not counted as votes for passage, except for constitutional amendments or conventions.

courtsstate agencies

The statute, as written — Vote count

Except for contests conducted by ranked-choice voting pursuant to section 11-100, each contest or question on a ballot shall be counted independently as follows: (1) If the votes cast in a contest or on a question are equal to or less than the number to be elected or chosen for that contest or question, the votes for that contest or question shall be counted; (2) If the votes cast in a contest or question exceed the number to be elected or chosen for that contest or question, the votes for that contest or question shall not be counted; and (3) If a contest or question requires a majority of the votes for passage, any blank, spoiled, or invalid ballot shall not be tallied for passage or as votes cast except that such ballots shall be counted as votes cast in ratification of a constitutional amendment or a question for a constitutional convention.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§11-100 Ranked-choice voting: when it is used and how votes are counted

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.