North Carolina’s bipartisan election board has unanimously approved emergency provisions to help voters in 13 western counties hit hardest by Hurricane Helene. This bipartisan agreement aims to ensure that the storm’s effects do not hinder voter participation in the upcoming election, and the changes offer residents increased flexibility in obtaining and returning absentee ballots.
Voters can now request ballots in person until Nov. 4, the day before Election Day, as opposed to the Oct. 29 deadline for requesting an absentee ballot online. Voters are also now able to drop their absentee ballots off at any county board of elections in the state or any polling site in their county, and they will be counted as long as they are received by 7:30 p.m. ET on Election Day (Nov. 5).
The board’s bipartisan decision also allows county election boards to modify early voting hours and relocate polling sites as needed. Several planned polling sites were damaged or are currently being used as shelters. County boards, by bipartisan majority votes, can hire poll workers from other counties in the state and send poll workers to other voting sites to ensure each site has enough experienced poll workers.
Despite the impact of the storm, the voter registration deadline (Oct. 11) remained unchanged. However, North Carolina has same-day registration available during early voting, which is from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2, which gives affected voters another chance to register if they missed the Oct. 11 deadline.
The executive director of the State Board of Elections, Karen Brinson Bell, assured voters that while some ballots have been delayed due to storm damage, tracking options remain available for absentee voters. The storm has had a devastating impact on mail services, and five counties still have no retail or delivery service.
These bipartisan-approved emergency measures, coming as early voting is set to begin, are crucial in ensuring that the storm’s aftermath doesn’t prevent citizens in these counties from exercising their right to vote.
Other states have also adapted their voting procedures in response to the hurricane's impact.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to offer flexibility in 13 hurricane-affected counties, allowing officials to relocate polling sites and use drop boxes. Election administrators may also bring in poll workers from other counties. DeSantis refused to extend the voter registration deadline, which remained Monday, Oct. 7.
Meanwhile, South Carolina extended their registration deadline to Oct. 14, and Georgia reports that election operations should proceed smoothly. Only around 700 Georgia ballots are delayed due to post office closures, with efforts underway to ensure they reach voters in time.
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