Early voting in swing states Georgia and North Carolina may face disruptions due to Hurricane Milton, which poses complications for recovery efforts from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The extreme weather in the South could hinder many Americans’ ability to cast early votes or mail their ballots, raising concerns about voter access and participation in these crucial states ahead of the 2024 election.
Hurricane Helene has already inflicted significant damage on infrastructure in both states, necessitating urgent restoration efforts amid ongoing confusion and devastation. With another hurricane threatening the region, election officials are under pressure to ensure voting operations remain functional.
In North Carolina, early in-person voting is scheduled to begin on October 17, and the deadline for requesting absentee ballots is set for October 29. However, many residents are still unable to access their homes, with over 1,000 individuals currently housed in temporary accommodations organized by FEMA.
Hurricane Milton Threatens Early Voting in Georgia and North Carolina Amid Recovery from Hurricane Helene
In Georgia, early voting is set to start even earlier, on October 15, but the state has also faced challenges due to Hurricane Helene. Governor Brian Kemp announced that more than 40 counties were affected by the storm. Despite these concerns, a spokesperson for Georgia’s secretary of state reported that the state’s election apparatus remains intact and that early voting activities have not been disrupted.
Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, is leading the response to the hurricanes’ effects on voting. She has assured voters that early voting will proceed as planned in all 100 counties, although some adjustments will be made in the 13 hardest-hit areas.
Bell emphasized the commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in the election safely and securely, reflecting a proactive approach to the challenges presented by the severe weather.
As early voting progresses across the United States, more than 3 million ballots have already been cast nationwide. In North Carolina, over 30,000 postal ballots have been submitted, while Georgia has reported more than 1,000.
With both states holding 16 Electoral College votes each, their outcomes are critical, particularly for former President Donald Trump, who currently holds a narrow lead in both states. Winning in North Carolina and Georgia would bring him closer to a potential return to the White House, but he would also need to secure at least one Midwestern state that Joe Biden won in 2020 to reclaim the presidency.
