How will Hurricane Helene impact voting in North Carolina? The aftermath of the storm has left state officials scrambling as early voting is set to begin on Oct. 17. Severe flooding, road closures, and power outages have damaged many planned voting sites across two dozen counties, leaving uncertainty about whether voting can start on time.

The State Board of Elections is exploring backup options, including setting up temporary voting locations, similar to past hurricane responses where makeshift tents were used. Voters whose mail-in ballots were lost or damaged can request replacements, and those temporarily displaced do not need to change their registration.

State lawmakers are set to meet next week to discuss potential changes to election rules, including possibly allowing online voting for voters in disaster areas. Election officials are also working with private companies to ensure voting machines are ready, but it's unclear how many were affected by the storm.

The situation remains fluid, and state officials are urging voters to stay informed as the election approaches.

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