Hurricane Helene has created significant challenges for voters and election officials in Georgia and North Carolina, two critical battleground states. Flooding, storm damage, and power outages have displaced residents and disrupted postal services, potentially complicating early and mail-in voting. According to Michael Morley, a Florida State University law professor, the storm has imposed “unexpected, substantial new barriers to voting” that require emergency steps to mitigate its impact.
Helene has claimed over 200 lives, with North Carolina being particularly hard hit. Around 1.3 million voters are in disaster-declared areas, with election offices closed and absentee ballots possibly lost. Despite these obstacles, North Carolina officials remain confident, with early voting set to begin on October 17, though some locations may need to be relocated.
In Georgia, where the voter registration deadline is October 7, early voting is scheduled to start on October 15. Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger assured the public that election offices are intact and preparations are on track. However, damaged roads and homes may still hinder voters from reaching polling places.
Both states play a pivotal role in the tight race between Vice President Harris and former President Trump, with observers noting that Helene’s disruptions could affect the outcome.
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