A hood latch release system includes, among other things, a release member within a compartment covered by a hood, a hood latch assembly, and a release assembly having an electrically powered actuator and a mechanical actuator. The electrically powered actuator and the mechanical actuator are each configured to move one or more latches of the hood latch assembly from the latched position to the unlatched position. The system further includes a selector assembly. When a coupling member of the selector assembly is in a decoupling position, actuating the release member causes the electrically powered actuator to unlatch the primary latch, the secondary latch, or both. When the coupling member of the selector assembly is in a coupling position, actuating the release member causes the mechanical actuator to unlatch the primary latch, the secondary latch, or both.