If this were an election for political office, instead of for National League’s starting second baseman in the MLB All-Star Game, the networks might soon be preparing to call it for Kolten Wong.

Of course, most places — outside legendary Chicago elections, that is — they don’t let you vote 35 times, either. 

With three and half weeks to go in fan balloting, it is hard to see how a healthy, productive Wong doesn’t end up in Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, scene of the 86th Mid-Summer Classic, July 14, one way or another. And, quite possibly, as Hawaii’s first fan-voted starter.

Wong has certainly done his part to this point, hitting .314 and, since being moved to the Cardinals’ leadoff spot, igniting the offense of baseball’s winningest team.

For Wong, the 24-year-old former University of Hawaii star, this has been the kind of breakout season that the rousing 2014 playoffs performance portended and it has him running 1-2 with the Marlins’ Dee Gordon at second base.

Gordon, the NL leader in batting, has been the early leader since voting began April 29. But Wong has doubled his number of votes (to 1,185,982) between the first and second printouts, cutting Gordon’s lead to 345,066. 

In the scheme of things that isn’t all that much since MLB this year allows fans to cast as many as 35 votes from the same email address via computer, tablet and smart phone. It is, after all, the fans’ game. Balloting continues until 5:59 p.m. July 2 at mlb.com or the team websites, such as cardinals.com/vote. UH is said to be considering putting a link on its website.

And Cardinals’ fans, who have a reputation of being among the most ardent in baseball — reveling in the self-anointed title of “baseball’s best fans” — are a lot more likely to vote, and keep voting, than those of the Marlins. 

A solid constituency is huge at All-Star time, witness what the Phillies and, of course, Hawaii fans, did for outfielder Shane Victorino in 2009 and ’11, in helping him to the MLB Final Vote position on the NL team with a surge of selections. 

As part of a Philadelphia radio station promotion three fans camped out in the press box lounge for 52 consecutive hours of online voting. Philadelphia’s mayor even put in some door-to-door campaigning on the popular Victorino’s behalf and teammates wore sandwich boards urging, “Vote Victorino.”

But this year, the first with the abandonment of decades-old punch cards in favor of exclusive online voting, there are, apparently, some limits. 

If Wong makes the 34-man roster, he would become the fifth Hawaii-bred player in the All-Star Game. Pitcher Sid Fernandez made it twice (1986-87), as did Victorino (2009 and ’11). Pitcher Brandon League was a 2011 pick and catcher Kurt Suzuki was chosen last year.

Two other Hawaii-born players who grew up elsewhere, pitchers Charlie Hough (1986) and Ron Darling (1985), were also all-star picks.

The slogan on the MLB.com website this year is “vote early and vote often” — not bad advice for those hoping to help Wong reach another milestone.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.