NC State Board of Elections Passes Emergency Voting Measures for Storm-Affected Counties

WNC -- October 7, 2024: In a crucial decision aimed at ensuring voters can participate in the upcoming election, the

North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously passed an emergency resolution on Monday, October 7, 2024. This action comes in response to the widespread damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, which has severely impacted 13 counties in Western North Carolina.

The storm left behind damaged infrastructure, power outages, and transportation issues, making it challenging for voters and election workers to access polling sites. The affected counties—Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey—are still recovering, with many areas struggling to restore essential services.

Key Emergency Measures

To adapt to these extraordinary circumstances, the State Board of Elections introduced the following key changes:

Flexible Early Voting:

County boards of elections in the impacted areas are now allowed to modify early voting locations, days, and hours without needing state approval. This flexibility ensures that early voting can continue, even if regular polling locations are unavailable due to storm damage.

Election Day Polling Sites:

In cases where Election Day polling locations have been compromised, counties can establish voting sites outside the precincts or even in neighboring counties. This measure ensures voters have access to a polling place regardless of local infrastructure issues.

Absentee Voting Adjustments: 

Voters in the affected counties now have until the day before Election Day to request absentee ballots in person. Additionally, absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to any polling location or Board of Elections office across North Carolina by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, offering greater flexibility to voters displaced by the storm.

Staffing and Resources: 

To support election administration, county boards can bring in election staff and poll workers from other counties. The State Board of Elections is also working with the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management to provide essential resources, including temporary voting facilities, restrooms, and generators, to ensure the election can proceed smoothly.

Impact on Voters

With over 100,000 North Carolinians still without power and many roads in a “crippled state,” these emergency measures are crucial to ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot. Karen Brinson Bell, the Executive Director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, emphasized the importance of adapting to the situation: "We are determined to provide accessible, safe, and secure voting options for our neighbors in Western North Carolina."

The emergency resolution also requires weekly reports to track absentee ballots, ensuring transparency and maintaining election integrity despite the logistical challenges. Republican board member Kevin Lewis expressed concerns about election security but supported the resolution after adding provisions for reporting on absentee ballots received from other counties.

Looking Forward

Despite the devastation, state officials are committed to making sure that early voting begins as scheduled on October 17 in all 100 counties, including the hardest-hit areas. The voter registration deadline remains October 11, and Election Day is set for November 5.

As recovery continues, further adjustments may be necessary to accommodate changing conditions, but the State Board of Elections remains focused on delivering a secure and accessible election for all North Carolinians.

For ongoing updates on this story and other local news, stay tuned to WNCTimes.com.

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