33% of elections in Hawaii are uncontested

by Mercedes Yanora, Ballotpedia, November 1, 2024 

Of 90 regular elections in Hawaii—30 (33%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Hawaii has the 23rd highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least seven office types up for election in Hawaii this year. 

City council and district attorney have the highest rate of uncontested elections at 100%. Elections for the office of mayor have the next highest uncontested rate at 50%, followed by U.S. senator and state senator at 31%.

County commissioner has the highest rate of contested elections at 83%. The next highest contested office type in Hawaii are U.S. representative and state representative at 70%, followed by congressional and state senator at 69%.

Hawaii has a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Among states with Democratic trifectas, 55% of elections are uncontested and 45% are contested. Those rates for Republican trifectas are 66% and 34%, respectively. In states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. 

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!