Southern States Try to Minimize Voting Disruptions After Hurricane Helene

The New York Times ^ | Oct. 3, 2024, 2:33 p.m. ET | Maggie Astor

[E. Pluribus Unum]

As Hurricane Helene tore through several Southern states last week, killing more than 185 people, the storm also upended carefully laid plans for the November election, including in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, where the presidential race and control of the Senate may be decided.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican of Florida, announced on Thursday that he would sign an executive order giving election officials in 13 affected counties more flexibility than state law normally allows in administering early and absentee voting.

Mr. DeSantis announced the executive order during an event in Manatee County. His office did not immediately respond to a request for a copy of the order, but he said in his remarks that it would be similar to one that he signed after Hurricane Ian hit the state in late September 2022.

That order included provisions allowing county election supervisors to open additional early voting sites, to relocate polling places or designate new ballot collection locations after the normal deadline and to accept voters’ requests to send mail ballots somewhere other than the home address they had on file.

Election officials had asked the Florida secretary of state’s office for such flexibility earlier this week.

“We also think that the elections are going to go fine,” Mr. DeSantis said. “Everyone is going to be able to get to vote, and they’ll be able to do so securely and safely.”

It is not yet clear how election procedures may be affected in North Carolina, where the hurricane devastated communities in the mountainous western part of the state. The damage could make some polling places inaccessible. A spokesman for the state elections board did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

...and to accept voters’ requests to send mail ballots somewhere other than the home address they had on file.

And there it is... the reason they deployed the weather control apparatus to destroy the infrastructure of red states.

[stanne]

Perhaps the NYT should send a reporter down there to see about claims that rescue efforts are being blocked

[chopperk]

The States should just contact Tina peters of Colo. for advice. Do it now before she goes to prison.

[GailA]

NEEDS A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ.

[Dawgreg]

Yeah and I bet they’re soiling themselves hoping that the election in these ravaged areas aren’t going to be up to the task. I’ll be a dime they will.....this is the South!!!!

[Ann Archy]

What about VOTEMOBILES with a SHERIFF ESCORT!!

[Steve Van Doorn]

Cheaters, thieves, scammers would say:
always turn a disaster into an opportunity.

[MMusson]

In North Carolina the new Voter ID law provides an exception for disasters. People can fill out a form stating their ID was lost in the floods and still vote.

[Ann Archy]

VOTEMOBILES WITH POLICE ESCORTS!