Strong Early Voting Turnout in North Carolina Despite Hurricane Helene’s Impact

Turnout for early in-person voting began robustly in North Carolina, a pivotal state in the presidential election, despite the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated many communities. The state’s Board of Elections reported that over 400 early voting sites opened as planned, though four sites in the western counties hardest hit by the storm remained closed. Karen Brinson Bell, the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections, attributed the success to the efforts of election workers, emergency management officials, and utility crews who worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges posed by the severe weather.

“Thousands of North Carolinians lost so much in this storm. Their lives will never be the same after this tragedy,” Brinson Bell stated in Asheville. “But one thing Helene did not take from western North Carolinians is the right to vote in this important election.”

Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina, claimed at least 246 lives, with more than half of the deaths occurring in North Carolina. The storm’s impact was particularly felt in Buncombe County, where several dozen residents perished.

Despite the devastation, voter turnout remained strong. Many braved the chilly weather to vote at the South Buncombe Library in Asheville, with some arriving well before polls opened at 9 a.m. Joyce Rich, a 77-year-old voter, said the hurricane made early voting even more pressing. “We decided, let’s just get it finished. You never know what’s going to happen,” Rich remarked.

In Polk County, another area affected by the storm, early voters filled the parking lot of the county elections board. Election officials resorted to directing traffic and some voters parked blocks away to cast their vote.

The resilience of North Carolinians persisted across the state. In Henderson County, traffic measures were implemented to manage the high turnout, with golf carts transporting voters from distant parking spots.

In Wake County, where the capital Raleigh is situated, polling locations experienced long wait times, reflecting the strong statewide turnout described as “terrific” by Brinson Bell.

Early voting in North Carolina continues until November 2, with hopes of surpassing previous records from the 2016 and 2020 elections. In 2020, more than 3.6 million ballots, accounting for 65% of the total, were cast during early voting.

The importance of early voting was not lost on the presidential campaigns. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz and several national Republican figures made campaign appearances in the state, underscoring North Carolina’s significance this election cycle. The state ballot also includes races for governor, attorney general, and numerous other positions.