Honolulu Voters to Weigh Ranked Choice Voting Amendment

Oahu residents will decide on a measure to change how candidates for nonpartisan offices are elected.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring nested geometric shapes in navy, cream, and coral, symbolizing a ranked voting selection process. — Honolulu voters will cast ballots on November 3, 2026, to decide if the city should adopt ranked choice voting for local nonpartisan office elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should Honolulu adopt a ranked choice voting system for local nonpartisan offices?

Honolulu voters heading to the polls on November 3, 2026, will consider a charter amendment to implement ranked choice voting for nonpartisan offices. The proposal would apply to the roles of mayor, City Council, and Honolulu prosecutor.

Why it matters

The measure seeks to change the process for electing local officials by requiring a majority threshold for an outright win. If approved, the shift would move the city away from its current primary election system.

The proposal requires candidates to clear a 50% majority threshold to win outright, replacing the current system used in races like the 2012 mayoral primary where Ben Cayetano received 44.1% of the vote. If passed, the system would begin in 2032.

The players

Hawaii Democratic Party

This political organization has expressed support for the implementation of the ranked choice voting measure.

Hawaii Republican Party

This political organization has formally stated its opposition to the proposed charter amendment.

Ben Cayetano

He was a candidate in the 2012 Honolulu mayoral primary who received 44.1% of the vote.

Kirk Caldwell

He was a candidate in the 2012 Honolulu mayoral primary who received 29.1% of the vote.

The details

Under the proposed amendment, voters would rank candidates for mayor, City Council, and prosecutor. If no candidate reaches the 50% threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their supporters' second choices are redistributed until a winner emerges.

2012: The mayoral primary race occurred featuring candidates Ben Cayetano and Kirk Caldwell.
November 3, 2026: Voters will cast their ballots on the proposed charter amendments.
2032: The potential implementation date for the ranked choice voting system.

Political Context

Opponents of the measure argue that ranked choice voting complicates the ballot and risks confusion among the electorate. The Hawaii Republican Party remains the primary organized resistance to this modification of the Hawaii County Charter.

If the amendment passes, Oahu voters will be required to adapt to a new method of casting ballots for local nonpartisan offices. Citizens will need to participate in future voter education campaigns to understand the redistribution process of ranked choices.

The takeaway

Voters should review the list of 20 proposed charter amendments to understand how they might impact city governance. Implementing ranked choice voting would represent a significant shift in how nonpartisan leaders are selected in the future.