**Emergency Voting Measures Approved for Storm-Impacted North Carolina Counties**

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has unanimously approved an emergency resolution to modify voting rules in response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The hurricane, which hit less than two weeks ago, has left a trail of destruction, displacing residents, damaging homes, and washing away roads, creating significant challenges for voters as the critical Nov. 5 presidential election approaches.

The board, comprising both Democratic and Republican members, highlighted their unwavering commitment to ensuring that the electoral process continues smoothly despite the disruptions. "No one is denied the right to vote because of these logistical problems," said Alan Hirsch, the Democratic board chairman. Republican board member Stacy Eggers IV echoed this sentiment, asserting the need for tailored measures to address specific county needs due to the storm's impact.

The resolution targets 13 counties in western North Carolina, where polling places and mailing services were severely disrupted by the hurricane. As of Monday, county elections offices remained operational, according to executive director Karen Brinson Bell. Paul Cox, the state board's general counsel, noted substantial damage or accessibility issues at approximately 10 early voting sites within the affected counties.

One significant change introduced by the resolution allows voters to submit absentee ballots by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day at any polling place operated by their county elections board or another county's elections board. Previously, voters could only submit absentee ballots to their county or the state elections board on Election Day. The resolution also extends the deadline for picking up absentee ballots in person from a county elections office to the day before the election.

The distribution of absentee ballots has already faced complications prior to Helene, including a legal dispute over whether to include Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name on the ballots, leading to a two-week delay in September. The resolution empowers affected county elections boards to approve changes to polling locations and early voting sites, provided these changes receive approval from the state board's executive director. These changes may include relocating in-county voters, creating out-of-precinct polling sites, or establishing multiple voting locations within a precinct.

In addition to modifying polling locations, counties are authorized to recruit election officials from other counties and deploy assistance teams to emergency relief shelters to support absentee voting efforts. Despite calls from civil rights groups for extended voter registration deadlines, the resolution did not address this issue, leaving it to the state legislature, which reconvenes on Wednesday to consider disaster relief legislation. The state board has requested $2 million in funding from lawmakers to support the necessary voting changes in the impacted counties.

While North Carolina continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, neighboring states have also adjusted their voter registration deadlines. South Carolina extended its deadline to Oct. 14, and Georgia officials reported no major election disruptions. Florida remains on track for its voter registration deadline on Monday, despite another looming hurricane, Milton.

As the affected counties continue to recover, Bell indicated that the board may need to reassess the situation and take further actions to address ongoing disruptions through Election Day.