Less than a month before Election Day, Hurricane Helene has caused disruptions in elections infrastructure and postal services in several states. The impact of the hurricane has been particularly felt in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, election officials in the affected areas have been working diligently to ensure that voters can securely cast their early ballots. In North Carolina, the election board unanimously passed a resolution to grant the most affected counties the flexibility to adjust early voting sites and schedules. Displaced voters are also allowed to drop off absentee ballots at other county boards of election where they have relocated.
Despite the challenges posed by the hurricane, North Carolina remains committed to opening early voting on October 17 as planned. In Buncombe County, North Carolina, officials have reaffirmed their readiness to proceed with voting in the upcoming election.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida later this week. Despite the storm's impact, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that the state will not extend its voter registration deadline. This decision has been met with opposition from voting rights groups, who have been advocating for an extension until October 15.
The League of Women Voters of Florida, along with other organizations, has reiterated their call for an extension of the voter registration deadline. However, Governor DeSantis has maintained that the deadline will not be extended.
The preparations and responses of these states in the face of natural disasters highlight the importance of ensuring that voters have access to secure and timely voting options. As Election Day approaches, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of the hurricanes on the electoral process and to uphold the integrity of the democratic system.
