The Short Answer: It's About Plurality
Let's get right to it: For regularly scheduled federal elections—that is, for its U.S. Senators and Representatives—Hawaii does not require a candidate to win a majority (over 50%) of the vote. Instead, Hawaii operates on a plurality voting system, which is also known as 'first-past-the-post'. This is the most common method used in the United States for federal and state elections. In this system, the candidate who receives the most votes wins, period. It doesn't matter if they get 51% or 35%; if their vote total is higher than any other single candidate's, they are elected to office. This applies to Hawaii's races for governor and state legislators as well.
Majority vs. Plurality: A Quick Civics Lesson
The distinction between a majority and a plurality is fundamental to understanding election
outcomes. A majority win requires a candidate to secure more than half of all the votes cast (50% + 1). If no one hits that mark in a crowded field, a special mechanism, like a runoff election between the top two finishers, is needed to produce a winner. A plurality win simply requires a candidate to get more votes than anyone else. For example, in a three-way race, a candidate could win with 40% of the vote if their opponents receive 35% and 25%. While that candidate won, a 'majority' of voters (60%) actually cast their ballots for someone else. Most states, including Hawaii for its general elections, have determined that the simplicity and finality of the plurality system are preferable.
So, Why the Confusion About Hawaii?
The question is a valid one, especially as conversations around election reform grow. The confusion may stem from a few places. First, some states do have different rules, which can make people wonder about their own state's system. Second, there are ongoing discussions in Hawaii and elsewhere about the merits of the current system versus alternatives. Finally, Hawaii has made a recent change that introduces a different system in very specific circumstances. In 2022, legislation was enacted to use ranked-choice voting for special federal elections and certain county council vacancies. In ranked-choice voting, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no one has a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their voters' second choices are distributed. This process repeats until one candidate has a majority. This applies only to special elections, not the regularly scheduled primary and general elections.
Are There States That Do Require a Majority?
Yes, and they provide a sharp contrast to Hawaii's standard system. Georgia is the most well-known example for general elections; it requires a candidate to get over 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff election for both state and federal offices. This has led to several high-profile Senate runoff elections that captured national attention. Louisiana has a unique system where all candidates, regardless of party, compete in a primary on Election Day. If one candidate wins over 50%, they win the office outright. If not, the top two finishers proceed to a runoff. Several other states require a majority to win primary elections, but it is much rarer for general elections. These examples show that while Hawaii uses the common plurality method, the United States remains a laboratory for different democratic systems.
