Polling places closed by storm to open later this week

The state Office of Elections will open two polling places closed due to storm damage during Saturday’s primary election later this week.

Rex Quidilla, Elections spokesman, said the office is looking at allowing affected voters to submit ballots at the polling places either Friday or Saturday. The day had not been determined as of 2:45 p.m. Monday.

Quidilla said voters will receive a notification in the mail.

Initially, the office was looking to send absentee ballots by mail to the affected voters. But Quidilla said it is choosing to hold voting at the polling places — Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center and Keonepoko Elementary School — to wrap up the election quickly.

There are 8,269 registered voters in the two precincts.

County Clerk Stewart Maeda said 1,448 had voted absentee or at walk-in sites prior to Saturday.

That leaves 6,821 voters who could cast a ballot later this week.

In the Senate Democratic primary, Sen. Brian Schatz has a lead of 1,635 votes over Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

Both candidates are in Puna today campaigning and assisting with relief efforts.