Hawaii voters back two Constitutional amendments in early results

Hawaiʻi voters delivered strong early support Tuesday for two proposed amendments to the state constitution, with the first printout of general election results showing roughly six in ten backing each measure. Constitutional Amendment 1, which lengthens the window for confirming judicial appointments, led with 59.9% in favor, while Constitutional Amendment 2, authorizing county housing bonds, drew even wider support at 64.5%.

The initial tally put Amendment 1 at 155,925 votes in favor against 82,994 opposed, or 31.9% no, according to the state’s first printout of general election results.

Hawaii voters back constitutional amendments on judges, housing bonds

Judicial Confirmations Get a Longer Window

Amendment 1 extends the period the Senate has to review and vote on judicial appointments from thirty days to sixty days for nominations submitted between April 1 and December 31 during periods when the Senate is not in regular session or is nearing adjournment. This adjustment provides the Senate — especially the Senate Judiciary Committee — more time to examine and approve judicial candidates, helping resolve timing issues when nominations come up while legislators are not in session.

Housing Bonds Backed by a Broad Coalition

Amendment 2 authorizes counties to issue Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity (RISE) bonds, and it garnered the stronger showing of the two measures, with 167,908 votes, or 64.5%, approving it compared with 71,166 votes, or 27.3%, against. The measure creates a funding approach called tax increment financing, enabling counties to sell bonds for public infrastructure that supports affordable housing projects, with repayment coming exclusively from increased property tax revenue growth in specific districts instead of raising property tax rates.

Hawaii voters back two Constitutional amendments in early results

Supporters throughout the state formed a broad coalition to advocate for the amendment, securing unanimous backing from the governor, all four county mayors, construction trade unions, and housing affordability advocates. In the weeks before the election, the Hawaiʻi Carpenters Union spearheaded a statewide ad campaign, sending out educational mailers to inform voters about how infrastructure bonds can lower the expense of constructing homes.