North Carolina residents impacted by Helene likely to see some voting changes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Voters in western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene’s devastation may see several changes to how they can cast their ballots in the coming weeks after the state’s election board approved an emergency resolution that modifies voting rules.

The resolution unanimously passed by the North Carolina State Board of Elections, which has both Democratic and Republican members, on Monday comes less than two weeks after Helene destroyed large swaths of western North Carolina — displacing residents, damaging homes and washing away roads.

In a critical presidential election that may hinge on which way the battleground state swings, that widespread disruption also presents major problems for how residents can cast their votes by Nov. 5.

Still, the board reiterated several times during Monday’s meeting that it was committed to ensuring early voting and Election Day happens on schedule across the state, while also making sure “no one is denied the right to vote because of these logistical problems,” said board chairman Alan Hirsch, who is a Democrat.

“I’m generally very hesitant to make changes to the normal running of our election,” said Republican member Stacy Eggers IV, who is from Boone in western North Carolina. “But these have been tailored to give flexibility to the county boards to meet those specific needs.”

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