Why It Matters
Hawaii’s Elections Commission is facing a leadership vacuum at a critical moment. With the state’s 2026 primary election weeks away, the nine-member body has been unable to choose a new chair, raising questions about oversight and continuity heading into a busy election cycle.
The commission’s paralysis stems from a politically even split in its membership and disputes over how applicants answered questions about the 2020 presidential election. The current chair, Mike Curtis, is set to leave when his term expires June 30 — the same date that three other commissioners also cycle off.
What Happened
Eight applicants submitted their names for consideration to lead the Elections Commission, each going through a public interview process that included online-posted questionnaires and Zoom sessions open to the public. That represented a departure from the approach taken four years ago, when chair selection was handled in executive session.
Of the eight applicants, three gave answers to the questionnaire’s first question — regarding who won the 2020 presidential election — that raised concerns among some commissioners. The commission has been unable to rally the six votes needed for the two-thirds majority required to elect a new chair.
Commissioner Wally Nishimura made clear his frustration with the dynamic: “Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Why is this even a question?”
The applicant who came closest to reaching the six-vote threshold was Tamara McKay, but she ultimately fell short. Commissioner Ralph Cushnie, who had previously raised doubts about the integrity of the 2024 Hawaii elections, was rejected for the chair role by a majority of his colleagues. Commissioner John Sabas recused himself from voting, and Commissioner James “Kimo” Apana attempted to recuse himself as well, though that effort was unsuccessful.
Wednesday’s meeting stretched to six hours without resolution. The commission is scheduled to reconvene on June 24, ahead of the June 30 deadline when Curtis’s term — along with those of commissioners Cushnie, Barbara Dalton, and Lindsay Kamm — comes to a close.
By the Numbers
- 9 — total commissioners on the Elections Commission
- 8 — applicants who sought the chair position
- 6 — votes required to elect a new chair (two-thirds majority)
- 4 — commissioners appointed by Democratic legislative leaders; 4 appointed by Republican legislative leaders
- 3 — applicants who gave answers about the 2020 election that some commissioners found disqualifying
- June 30 — deadline by which current chair Mike Curtis’s term expires, along with three other commissioners
Zoom Out
The impasse in Hawaii reflects a broader national tension that has surfaced on election oversight boards across the country. Questions about the integrity of recent elections have complicated appointments and leadership selections at the state and local level, often turning administrative processes into ideological flashpoints.
The even partisan balance built into the commission’s structure — four members appointed by Democratic legislative leaders, four by Republican legislative leaders — means reaching consensus requires genuine agreement across party lines. That design may provide balance in normal circumstances, but it creates a structural deadlock risk when political divisions run deep.
Hawaii’s situation is also notable for how publicly the process has played out. All applicant question-and-answer sessions were posted online and Zoom interviews were open to the public, a level of transparency that is uncommon for such administrative appointments and one that may have intensified scrutiny of applicants’ positions.
What’s Next
The commission will meet again on June 24 for what is expected to be a pivotal session. Deputy Attorney General Jordan Ching is expected to offer legal guidance on two unresolved procedural questions: whether a temporary chair can be appointed in the interim, and whether the six-vote threshold is legally required or subject to interpretation.
Three commissioners — Cushnie, Dalton, and Kamm — will rotate off alongside Curtis at the end of the month, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the vote if new members are seated before a chair is chosen. Whether the commission can resolve its internal divisions before the June 30 deadline remains uncertain.