North Carolina begins its early voting period today‚ opening more than 400 locations across the state. This comes in the wake of Hurricane Helenes devastating impact about three weeks ago which caused significant damage in western regions.
Karen Brinson Bell‚ the State Board of Elections Executive Director‚ stated that only four out of 80 sites in the 25 hardest-hit western counties wont open. She praised the efforts of emergency management officials utilities and election workers saying‚ “Its an effort all North Carolinians should be proud of“
Hurricane Helene‚ which struck the Southeast in late September was the deadliest to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina (around 19 years ago). It claimed at least 246 lives with over half the fatalities occurring in North Carolina.
Early voting has been popular in the state: in the election four years ago‚ 65% of all ballots were cast this way. Brinson Bell doesnt expect a decrease in early voters; instead‚ she suggests it might increase as some storm-affected residents may not want to wait until Election Day.
The 17-day early voting period which runs through November 2nd‚ allows voters to register and cast ballots simultaneously. Absentee voting has already begun with over 60‚000 completed ballots turned in. People displaced by Helene can drop off their absentee ballots at any early voting site in North Carolina.
Political campaigns are active in the state. Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was expected to campaign in Winston-Salem and Durham today. The “Team Trump Bus Tour“ was set to resume in Rutherford County one of the areas hit hardest by the hurricane.
The ballot includes races for:
- Governor
- Attorney general
- U.S. House seats
- General Assembly positions
County election boards have been given flexibility to modify early voting sites including locations and hours. In Buncombe County which includes Asheville (a city devastated by the storm) 10 out of 14 planned early voting sites will be open.
This is the first presidential general election requiring North Carolina voters to show photo identification. However those whove lost their IDs due to the storm can fill out an exception form