A special election for two precincts in the storm-ravaged Puna district of Hawaii for the Democratic primary between Sen. Brian Schatz (pictured) and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa has been scheduled for Friday.
The announcement, made by Hawaii election officials according to Hawaii News Now, is a result of voters in those precincts being unable to vote because of Hurricane Iselle.
The precincts are important as there are more than 8,200 registered voters there, enough to flip Schatz’s slim lead over Hanabusa and give her the nomination.
On Monday Schatz was leading Hanabusa by a small 1,635 vote lead, too close for some organizations to call the primary for Schatz.
8200 registered voters, and a 1635 vote gap. (Hawaii is open primary)
That means with 100% turnout, Hanabusa would need to get 60% of the votes to pull out a win.
With a more likely 75% turnout (the stops will be pulled out for getting voters to the polls, normally turnout is under 50%), she would need to win with a margin of 63.3% to 36.7%.
Absent Schatz being found in bed with a live boy or a dead girl, it’s not gonna happen.