Navy Region Hawaii empowers Sailors for the 2026 Midterm Elections

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — Demonstrating that operational readiness extends to civic responsibility, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) conducted a command-wide military voting stand down at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Memorial Chapel, Oct. 9, 2026.

Capt. Gregory deWindt, chief of staff for CNRH, led the briefing to help service members and first-time voters navigate registration deadlines, absentee ballot requests, and polling options.

Capt. deWindt emphasized that serving far from home should never separate a warfighter from their fundamental constitutional right to vote. Whether stationed aboard a surface combatant, supporting submarine maintenance at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, or operating Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Barking Sands on Kauai, every Sailor has clear pathways to ensure their vote counts.

"Our primary mission in Hawaii is to project combat-ready forces across the Pacific, but that readiness is hollow if we do not also safeguard our civic duties at home," said deWindt. "Deployments, sea duties, and geographical distance cannot become excuses for disenfranchisement. We conducted this stand down to ensure our Sailors understand their deadlines, know their resources, and have a clear plan to execute their vote."

To ensure all hands have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, the Department of War (DoW) designated an official DoW Voting Day, authorizing commanders to grant administrative leave and operational flexibility for civilian personnel and service members to cast their ballots. The U.S. Navy announced in ALNAV 064/26 that Oct. 30 would serve as this day, which allows military personnel to conduct their voting tasks. It also allows commands to authorize administrative leave for civilian personnel, if their work schedules do not provide a reasonable opportunity to vote.

“With Navy Region Hawaii’s prerequisite voting training completed, Oct. 9, this dedicated day provides military personnel protected time to reflect on that training, review election material, submit absentee ballots, and support family members in their voting preparations,” said deWindt.

For military service members, dependents, and civil servants registered to vote in Hawaii, the state operates primarily via a mail-in system. However, for those who prefer to vote in person, who need to register on the same day, or wish to drop off their completed mail-in ballots securely, several designated Voter Service Centers and drop boxes are accessible.

Service members attached to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam or Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands who want to vote in the Hawaii election can cast their ballot in person at the following locations:

Oahu Voter Service Centers & Ballot Locations

Kauai Voter Service Centers & Ballot Locations

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam or Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands personnel, who are registered in states or territories other than Hawaii, should mail in their ballots. This comprehensive reference list provides the deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five major United States territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) in alphabetical order. It also includes the deadlines for ballot returns.

It’s important to note, while territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands allow postmarking on or before Election Day, jurisdictions such as American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands require the physical ballot to be received by the close of polls on Nov. 3, 2026.

For “All-Mail” jurisdictions, ballots are automatically mailed to registered voters. The deadlines listed for these locations typically indicate the final day to update registration, request a ballot sent to a temporary military/overseas address, or request a replacement ballot.

Please keep in mind that voters who request a ballot near the state-mandated deadline may not be able to have their vote counted. A state might technically accept ballot requests up until Oct. 29, but it is physically impossible for a ballot to be printed, mailed to Hawaii, filled out, mailed back, and received by Nov. 3 in that timeframe.

If a prospective voter’s physical ballot has not arrived in the mail, they can request a backup Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) online at FVAP.gov or by contacting the command’s designated Voting Assistance Officer (VAO).

"Voting is more than a right; it is a profound privilege, especially for those of us who wear the uniform and actively defend those democratic processes,” said Jesse Duarte, voting assistance officer for CNRH. “Navigating different state deadlines, territory rules, or mail-in logistics can feel daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. Your voting assistance officer is there to help guide you, provide the paperwork, and ensure your ballot is securely submitted. Our job is to make sure that your service to our country never gets in the way of your voice being heard.”

Navy Region Hawaii serves as the regional coordinator for all shore-based Navy installations, personnel, and activities on Oahu and Kauai, supporting the readiness of the fleet and warfighters throughout the Pacific theater of operations.

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