NC Congressman Raises Alarm on Voter Access in Areas Hard Hit by Helene
Rep. Chuck Edwards, representing a district in western North Carolina severely affected by Hurricane Helene, is urging constituents to plan ahead for voting. The storm has left significant destruction and over 230 deaths across multiple states, with about 100 deaths in his district alone.
Edwards expressed concern that some residents might not be able to exercise their right to vote due to the storm’s impact. He is encouraging people to request absentee ballots or plan to vote early, as many are still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
The North Carolina state legislature has taken steps to mitigate potential issues. They have approved $5 million in emergency funding for the State Board of Elections to address the storm’s effects, including modifying early voting days and locations.
Additionally, the state has allocated $273 million for relief efforts, which includes funding for the State Board of Elections to facilitate voting in affected areas. This includes waiving DMV fees and providing technical assistance to local governments.
Early in-person voting is scheduled from October 17 to November 2, and voters in the 25 counties affected by the disaster can request absentee ballots in person until the day before Election Day. Absentee ballots can be submitted at any open early voting site, county election office, or the State Board of Elections office in Raleigh.
