Voters in storm-ravaged parts of the Southeast are facing new hurdles at the ballot box this year following the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The destruction caused by these back-to-back disasters has led to a flurry of new outreach efforts from states, parties, and campaigns to expand voters’ access to the polls and ensure their votes are counted. The goal is to increase engagement and participation in the 2024 presidential race, where candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a virtual dead heat with less than a month until Election Day.
In North Carolina, efforts have been focused on helping displaced residents access polling locations after Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused significant damage and loss of life. The storm’s impact was concentrated in western North Carolina and Georgia, two competitive states that could play a key role in determining the next president. Approximately 17% of North Carolina’s registered voters reside in the counties that were designated as disaster areas following Helene. State election officials have approved changes for 13 affected counties to ensure access to polling locations amidst infrastructure and postal service disruptions.
The Trump campaign has hinted at new efforts to transport voters to the ballot boxes in hurricane-hit states. Campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that they have been in contact with state and local election officials in the Southeast to assess the damage and ensure voters have access to the ballots. The campaign is reviewing options to provide transportation for voters who need to get to the polls and ensuring access to the ballot box. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order granting election officials in hard-hit counties flexibility to alter their election procedures.
In Georgia, a federal judge ruled against reopening the voter registration process or extending the voter registration deadline after Hurricane Helene. This decision could have a significant impact in Georgia, a key battleground state that narrowly selected Biden in 2020. A similar request in Florida also faced rejection by a federal judge, claiming voters had ample time to register for the November election. It remains unclear what actions, if any, the Harris campaign is taking to assist voters in North Carolina or other affected states. Campaign officials have not responded to requests for comment.
States, parties, and campaigns are working to increase voter engagement and participation in the face of challenges presented by the recent hurricanes. Efforts in the hurricane-hit southern states vary, but the shared goal is to ensure that voters in these affected areas have access to polling locations and that their votes are counted. With less than a month until Election Day, the focus remains on providing support and assistance to those in storm-ravaged regions, particularly in key battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections, in coordination with FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management, is setting up resources such as portable restrooms, generators, and trailers to support over 500 polling places in the state’s western region. The Trump campaign has also expressed a commitment to working with state and local officials to ensure voter access in hurricane-hit states. Meanwhile, efforts in Florida have been made to grant additional flexibility to election officials in hard-hit counties. Despite challenges and setbacks in Georgia, efforts are ongoing to support voters and maintain the integrity of the electoral process in the wake of the recent natural disasters.
