North Carolina saw a record-breaking first day of early voting, with more than 353,000 ballots cast on Thursday. However, concerns remain that turnout could still be affected in regions hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of western North Carolina in September.
While the record turnout is notable, experts caution that it might not fully reflect the challenges posed by the hurricane’s aftermath. Christopher Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, warned against overinterpreting the early voting numbers, emphasizing that voter participation in areas most impacted by the storm, such as Asheville, may still be depressed.
READ: Hurricane Helene Insured Losses Climb To $1.3 Billion In Florida
Cooper explained that using early voting data to predict overall turnout is like “bringing a fishing pole to a home run derby,” suggesting the numbers could be misleading, particularly given the extensive damage to infrastructure like roads and polling stations in western North Carolina.
Karen Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, acknowledged the losses faced by many residents but stressed that the hurricane hadn’t taken away their right to vote. “Their lives will never be the same after this tragedy, but one thing Helene did not take from western North Carolinians is the right to vote in this important election,” Bell said during a Thursday press conference.
READ: North Carolina Hurricane Survivor Blasts Biden, Feels Betrayed Admin Put Migrants Before Americans
During the last presidential election, around 33,000 ballots were cast on the first day of early voting in Asheville. This year, that number dropped to 8,200, largely due to storm-related challenges in accessing polling stations.
According to the North Carolina Election Board, ten early voting sites in the western parts of the state have either sustained damage or are facing accessibility issues.
The previous early voting turnout record in North Carolina was set in 2020, with 348,000 ballots cast on the first day. In that election, former President Donald Trump won the state by a narrow margin of 1.3%.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump are in a close race in the state, with Trump holding a slight 1-point lead according to RealClearPolling averages.
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