North Carolina Offers Voting Flexibility in Counties Impacted by Hurricane Helene

The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously passed an emergency resolution this week, aimed at addressing voting challenges in 13 counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene. The storm caused significant destruction in western North Carolina, displaced residents, and damaged infrastructure, including roads and polling stations. With Election Day approaching on November 5, the board sought to ensure that all eligible voters in the affected areas can cast their ballots without disruption.

One of the key changes allows voters to submit absentee ballots in any county elections board office across the state by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, absentee ballots could only be turned in at early voting sites or the county elections board within the voter’s own county. The resolution also extends the timeframe for voters to pick up absentee ballots in person until November 4, giving displaced residents additional time to participate in the election.

To accommodate the damage caused by the storm, the resolution grants local election boards the flexibility to adjust polling locations and early voting hours. Some of the designated voting sites are currently being used as disaster relief centers, and others have been rendered inaccessible due to storm damage. The bipartisan board also authorized hiring poll workers from other counties to fill staffing shortages and ensure smooth election operations.

While the board made several adjustments, it did not extend the state’s voter registration deadline, which ended on Friday, October 11. However, residents who miss the registration deadline can still register and vote during the early voting period, which runs from October 17 to November 2. State officials have also requested $2 million in funding from the legislature to support these emergency voting provisions.

Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation in the region, and election officials are working to ensure that the storm’s aftermath does not disenfranchise voters. Similar voting flexibility measures have been implemented in other states impacted by recent storms, including Florida and South Carolina.

As North Carolina prepares for a pivotal election, the state’s efforts to balance accessibility and security in the wake of the hurricane demonstrate the challenges of conducting elections in disaster-affected areas. The changes reflect a commitment to ensuring that no voter is left behind, even in the face of natural calamities.