Does Schatz have edge with remaining Hawaii voters?

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) faces some tough math in order to make up the 1,635-vote lead Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii) holds after Saturday’s primary.

{mosads}Two precincts have yet to complete voting — they had to cancel the primaries because of damage from Hurricane Iselle — and have 8,255 registered voters between them. They are required to finish voting by mail ballot within 21 days.

Schatz led Hanabusa in early voting in those two precincts, according to Hawaii News Now, which calculates that Hanabusa would have to win nearly two-thirds of the remaining ballots to pull even, better than she did anywhere in the islands on Saturday including in her home region.

The candidates face a tricky situation trying to woo voters in Puna, a more rural area that was hard-hit by the storm. Power is still out, roads are still not passable in parts of the area, and both Schatz and Hanabusa would have to make sure not to alienate voters by being too aggressive with campaign tactics in an area still recovering from the hurricane.

Hanabusa did not concede her race, and while both candidates have been quiet since Saturday they’re gearing up for a final election push. For Hanabusa that may mean she’ll need to find a strong argument for a recount — Hawaii law requires candidates to file for the recount and have a good reason to do so more than a close race.