The elections are less then a month away WNC is facing a lot of challenges after Helene considering the damages and distraction of many voting places and election boards. The deadline for voter registration is today, Oct. 11 and NC voters will need to show a voter ID when casting a vote in person or mail in vote. Our reporter Deanna Sipe interviewed Amanda Allen, the Elections Director of the Jackson County Board of Elections on Oct. 8 for the student-run radio station 95.3 FM on the election process in Jackson County and what they are doing to adapt with the disruption from Helene.
Listen below.
North Carolina General Assembly passed the Disaster Relief Act 2024, granting $273 million in relief funds for the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Of this funds State Board of Election received $5 million to help address issues with the election. Along with financial aid, new rules will be applied to give election workers greater flexibility including adjusting training modules and allowing out-of-county residents to work in elections. Polling places can now be moved, even to a temporary structure if necessary. The affected board of elections can extend days and hours for working during early voting period. The deadline for voter registration Oct. 11 was not extended. The absentee ballots also must be returned by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 to be counted.
This assistance applies only to the impacted counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey. Swain and Mecklenburg who were added later are not included in this assistance. Read more about the relief here.
