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HRS §16-45

Who can watch ballots being counted

This section says who gets to watch ballots being counted. The election officer or county clerk must pick at least one observer from each political party and one from the news media. They can add more observers if there is room, and only people with written permission can enter the counting area.

countiesstate agencies

The statute, as written — Official observers

Official observers shall be designated by the chief election officer or the clerk in county elections to be present at the counting centers and selected in the following manner: (1) No less than one official observer designated by each political party; (2) No less than one official observer from the news media; (3) Additional official observers as space and facilities permit designated by the chief election officer in state elections and the clerk in county elections. The chief election officer or clerk shall give all official observers reasonable notice of the time and place where the ballots shall be counted. No person shall be permitted in the counting center without the written authorization of the chief election officer or clerk.
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.