CNN
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Early voting in North Carolina is facing challenges as the effects of Hurricane Helen continue to devastate communities across the Southeast, closing roads and disrupting services across the state.
The start of mail-in voting in the key state of North Carolina comes after a ruling that ballots must be reprinted without the choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stopped campaigning and supported former President Donald Trump. It had already been postponed by the court that issued the decision.
Even before the devastating hurricane struck, North Carolina had emerged as one of the key battleground states for this election, garnering attention. A recent CNN poll found Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump virtually tied among likely voters in the state. The Tar Heel State is also in a heated race for governor between Attorney General Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.
“We don’t know exactly what will happen, but between now and Election Day, our leadership is committed to ensuring that every voter in North Carolina “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that everyone can vote.” said in a statement. “In recent days, natural disasters have impacted our elections. Just as we did then, we will conduct a safe, secure, and successful election in 2024.”
The U.S. Postal Service warned that operations in certain zip codes could be suspended, further hampering voters’ efforts to vote by mail.
Absentee ballots were mailed to state residents who requested them on September 24th.
“The safety of our customers and employees is the Postal Service’s top priority in the wake of Hurricane Helen,” the U.S. Postal Service said in a statement. “The Postal Service is committed to delivering each piece of mail to a location that is safe and road-accessible. We will continue this effort and continue to deliver election mail as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to liaise with local election boards in the affected areas to ensure safe transportation and delivery.”
Bell said during Monday’s emergency board meeting that 14 of the 22 counties the board has been in touch with are closed and “several more days of closure” are expected.
“Our field professionals who live in Buncombe County and serve most of these counties actually had to walk from their homes to county offices today as well. “We found that we would have to walk about four to five miles to assist the county and be able to access some services,” she said.
Bell said Haywood County is the only county not reporting on the situation, noting that many county employees are experiencing difficulties with internet, water, power and road damage. As of Monday afternoon, Haywood County’s elections website was not working, and CNN has reached out to the county but has not received a response.
Buncombe County, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding the city of Asheville, was one of the counties hardest hit by the hurricane disaster. However, county election officials say the post office is still open and voters can submit their ballots there.
“Buncombe County continues its response and recovery efforts, with a focus on life safety and basic needs,” said Buncombe County Elections Director Colin Duncan. “The post office is open and we mailed 200 ballots today.”
Duncan added that the county’s election facilities are undamaged and have power, but some staff and board members are stranded due to road closures. The county has not yet completed its polling of polling places and offices do not have running water.
