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HRS §11-8

What elections commission members can and cannot do in politics

Elections commission members cannot take an active part in political campaigns or management. But they can still vote, join a party, donate money, and do nonpartisan civic work. They can ask the state ethics commission if an activity is allowed.

The statute, as written — Elections commission; political activities

(a) No elections commission member shall take an active part in political management or in political campaigns. (b) Each elections commission member shall retain the right to: (1) Register and vote as the elections commission member chooses in any election; (2) Participate in the nonpartisan activities of a civic, community, social, labor, or professional organization, or of a similar organization; (3) Be a member of a political party or other political organization and participate in its activities to the extent consistent with law; (4) Make a financial contribution to a political party or organization; (5) Serve as an election judge or clerk or in a similar position to perform nonpartisan election duties, as prescribed by law; and (6) Otherwise participate fully in public affairs, except as prohibited by law, in a manner which does not materially compromise the elections commission member's efficiency or integrity as an elections commission member or the neutrality, efficiency, or integrity of the elections commission. (c) An elections commission member may request an advisory opinion from the state ethics commission to determine whether a particular activity constitutes or would constitute a violation of the code of ethics or this section.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

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