Election officials in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida are facing challenges in ensuring voters can securely cast early ballots in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The devastating storm has left some areas without power, water, and cell service, impacting the voting process.
To address the issues caused by the storm, officials are considering various solutions. These include setting up additional polling places, extending early voting periods, and simplifying the process of dropping off mail-in ballots.
W. Travis Doss, Jr., the executive director of the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Elections in Georgia, highlighted the difficulties faced by the county, with concerns about delays in mailing out and receiving absentee ballots. Some polling locations may be rendered unusable due to the storm's impact.
Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, pointed out that the damage caused by the storm extends beyond flooding. Inaccessible polling places and obstacles like fallen trees are among the challenges faced by election officials in North Carolina.
Mail service has been disrupted in several zip codes across the three states, further complicating the delivery and return of mail-in ballots. The US Postal Service is working to address these challenges, despite damage to some of its facilities.
Travis Hart, president of the Florida Supervisors of Elections, emphasized the collaborative efforts with the USPS to overcome the obstacles posed by the storm. While some facilities have been severely affected, officials remain confident in their ability to secure the necessary assistance to ensure a smooth voting process.
