Who Controls Hawaiʻi’s Elections Commission? Supreme Court Asked to Decide Whether Office of Elections Can Block Its Oversight Commission From Meeting

Supreme Court Asked to Decide Whether Office of Elections Can Block Its Oversight Commission From MeetingHONOLULU, Hawaiʻi — A case now before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court raises a fundamental question about who ultimately controls the ability of the Hawaiʻi Elections Commission to meet and carry out its responsibilities: the Commission itself, or the Office of Elections that the Commission was created to oversee. The dispute arose after the term of Elections Commission Chair Michael Curtis expired on June 30, 2026, leaving the Commission without a chair. Cushnie and McKay filed an Emergency Petition for Writ of Mandamus with the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on July 8. The petition relies on HRS §11-1.5(b), which states that the Office of Elections “shall provide staff support to the elections commission, as requested by the elections commission.” The case, Cushnie & McKay v. Nago, SCPW-26-0000498, is fully briefed and awaiting a decision from the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.