Members of the U.S. Congress representing one of the areas hardest hit by Helen have expressed concern about the impact of the deadly storm on voter access in their region.
“Some people may not be able to exercise their most important constitutional rights for whatever reason,” Rep. Chuck Edwards, RN.C., told FOX News Digital in an interview Friday.
Edwards is urging voters to start planning now, sending out a press release to precinct residents about three weeks before Election Day, asking prospective voters to start thinking about how they will vote.
“I also plan to follow up with people in the community and offer to provide transportation for those who feel they don’t have a normal life or transportation to get to the polls,” Edwards said.
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Two weeks later, Congressman Chuck Edwards spoke to Fox News Digital about the impact of Hurricane Helen in his district. (Getty Images/Fox News Digital)
“I'm concerned. But I also have great confidence in helping people in the community exercise their constitutional rights. We have to start thinking about that now. We can't even wait until the last moment.''Often we are accustomed to doing so. ”
Two weeks ago, Hurricane Helen tore through the Southeast, causing billions of dollars in damage and more than 230 deaths in multiple states.
Mr Edwards estimated that “about 100 people have died” in his district alone, but noted that many were still missing.
“About 9,200 acres in western North Carolina were affected in 28 counties, about 6,000 of which are here in my district,” he said.
But in addition to the damage to life and property, the storm could have a serious impact on elections. The two hardest-hit states, North Carolina and Georgia, have emerged as battlegrounds for the 2020 presidential election.
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On October 2, 2024, Hurricane Helen causes flash flooding in the town of Chimney Rock in the Edwards area. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Approximately 17% of registered voters in North Carolina live in counties designated as Helen disaster areas. michael bitzer Professor of Politics and History at Catawba College.
“People are still in the process of rebuilding their lives, desperately trying to get power back, trying to contact loved ones, digging through the rubble, but they don't realize we're so close to an election here. “It wasn't like that for about three weeks,” Edwards said.
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“So what I would encourage everyone to do is start thinking about that now. If you don't feel like you can go to the polls or you don't intend to vote early, request an absentee ballot. .”
The North Carolina Legislature is already working to alleviate potential problems.
State lawmakers approved $5 million in emergency funding to the State Board of Elections to deal with the effects of the storm, as well as an election board that allows counties to change early voting dates and locations. The emergency measures introduced have been expanded.
At the federal level, Edwards said he would give the government's response a “C minus.”
Edwards said President Biden left a voicemail on Friday. (Shaun Hsu/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This storm ended around 10 a.m. Friday, but it wasn't until Tuesday that we saw the first boots on the ground from FEMA and the first helicopters loaded with food and water. “It was after that,” he said.
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Asked about support from U.S. leaders, Edwards said President Biden called him early Friday and left a voicemail. He did not say whether he would call back.
“It was probably a 10-second clip that said, 'Attaboy, keep up the good work. We're thinking of you,'” Edwards said.
