Early in-person voting has commenced in North Carolina, a crucial battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. Despite the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive damage and left many without basic necessities like power and clean water, over 400 voting locations across all 100 counties opened their doors for the 17-day early voting period. Only four sites in the 25 hardest-hit western counties remained closed.
The State Board of Elections Executive Director commended the resilience of emergency management officials, utilities, and election workers for ensuring the smooth operation of the voting sites. The storm, which hit the Southeast three weeks ago, resulted in significant devastation, claiming lives and disrupting communities.
