Florida and North Carolina Tweak Voting Rules to Ease Process Amid Devastating Hurricane Season

As authorities assess the damage caused by Hurricane Milton just days after Helene's devastating path, this storm season is becoming the most destructive for the U.S. in at least 20 years.

An unexpected consequence from the hurricanes' impact? Officials in North Carolina and Florida are implementing emergency voting procedures to address the disruptions, with changes in both states being backed by both political parties.

In North Carolina, the state elections board unanimously approved emergency measures for 13 counties affected by Hurricane Helene, as Axios reports. These changes include allowing local boards to adjust early voting days, hours, and locations, and providing an option for voters unable to reach their precincts to vote at the county elections office.

"These measures will help eligible voters in the affected areas cast their ballot either in person or by mail," state Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell told North Caroline Newsline. "They will help county boards of election in western North Carolina administer this election under extraordinarily difficult conditions."

Additionally, the state legislature has allocated $5 million to support post-storm election administration and expanded emergency rules to 25 counties.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order allowing election supervisors in hard-hit counties to consolidate or relocate polling places and easing rules for mail-in ballots. Voting rights groups have called for further action such as reopening voter registration, citing concerns that consolidating polling centers could reduce turnout, something seen after Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Republicans' embrace of changing the voting rules is a reversal from the 2020 election, when they largely opposed pandemic-related changes such as expanded mail-in voting. However, as Axios claims, one possible reason for the GOP's change of heart may be that 8% of eligible voters in North Carolina are in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene which include many voters in rural, Republican-leaning areas.