“North Carolina Election Officials Strive to Overcome Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Voting Process”
North Carolina election officials are facing challenges as they seek to ensure that voters in this critical swing state will have the opportunity to cast their ballots, despite the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the widespread destruction it has caused to basic infrastructure. The storm has left 12 county election offices in the heavily impacted western region closed, posing obstacles to the delivery of absentee ballots and raising concerns about the availability of early and Election Day voting sites. Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the state’s election board, acknowledged the unprecedented level of uncertainty brought by the storm, but expressed determination to support voters during this emergency. The devastated areas include Asheville, a populous city located in a county where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans, making it difficult to predict the potential impact on voter turnout and election results.
As emergency workers continue rescue and recovery efforts across the Southeastern U.S., election officials in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia are also assessing the damage and potential consequences on mail balloting, early voting, and Election Day operations. Georgia election workers have returned to work despite power outages and infrastructure damage, while Tennessee has reported water damage to two county election offices and disruptions to several polling locations. In North Carolina, officials are considering relocating or consolidating voting locations in case some become inaccessible.
State officials are offering guidance and special accommodations for absentee voters who may face obstacles in receiving their ballots due to evacuation measures, postal service delays, or damage to residential mailboxes. Displaced voters have the option to request their absentee ballot be sent to an alternative location, or to wait and cast their vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day, with exceptions made for those from counties under disaster declarations who have lost their identification. Officials are also evaluating whether additional measures, such as extending the absentee ballot deadline or expanding the use of an online voting portal, should be implemented to accommodate affected voters.
The impact of the storm on election operations is still being assessed, with ongoing damage evaluations on polling sites. Election offices have received emergency kits, initially intended for ransomware attacks, which include essential equipment like laptops, cellphones, and Wi-Fi hotspots to enable continued operations in the absence of power, phone service, or internet connectivity. While there have been no reports of physical damage to election offices or stored equipment, close collaboration with tabulation machine vendors ensures readiness for potential repairs or replacements.
The full extent of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the election process, including the voter turnout and final results, remains uncertain. Nevertheless, election officials in North Carolina are committed to overcoming these challenges and facilitating democratic participation amidst the ongoing recovery efforts.
