Recount set for Tuesday in two state Republican primary races

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An automatic recount has been triggered in two state Republican primary races following results so close that one contest was separated by a single vote.

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The recount is scheduled for Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Because two races are involved, the process could stretch into Wednesday.

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The races

In the Republican primary for Senate District 20, incumbent Kurt Fevella trails challenger Bob McDermott by seven votes. In the Republican race for House District 43, incumbent Kanani Souza leads challenger Sheila Medeiros by just one vote.

Because both races fall within half a percentage point, state law requires an automatic recount.

Hawaii News Now Political Analyst Colin Moore said the margin in House races is historically narrow.

“We’ve seen some very, very close elections, single-digit elections,” Moore said. “I can’t remember one where there was just one vote.”

What the recount involves

Candidates or their representatives may observe the recount at the state Capitol beginning Tuesday morning.

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State Chief Election Officer Scott Nago outlined the process.

“First we’re going to test the machines, a mini test of the machines, then we’re going to run the ballots through, and then we’ll get the results,” Nago said. “If it was a single contest in the past, we’ve done it in one day. But this is two, so it may take us a little longer.”

What comes after the recount

Even after the recount is complete, results will not be final. Ballots with signature discrepancies must still be resolved or cured.

“If their signature doesn’t match or they’re missing a signature, those ballots are what we call invalid ballots. They’re not counted,” Nago said. “Voters are then notified and they have till Friday (at) 4:30 p.m. to either sign it or fix the problem. And then once that’s done, we will add those into the count.”

Depending on the county, signatures could be resolved in person, at the county clerk’s office or online.

Political divide

Moore said the tight margins reflect a split within Hawaii’s Republican Party over political philosophy.

“Fevella and Souza really argue that Republicans should take a more pragmatic approach in a legislature completely dominated by Democrats,” Moore said. “They essentially say we should work with Democrats. We should try to get what we need for our districts.”

Moore added that voters in both districts were offered a clear alternative. “Medeiros and McDermott really take a more ideological position. They’re saying, ‘We’re the opposition. We shouldn’t necessarily work with Democrats.’”

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