U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards raises concerns about the impact of Hurricane Helene on voter access in his district, urging residents to plan for alternative voting methods and offering assistance with transportation.
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), whose western North Carolina district was devastated by Hurricane Helene, is expressing concerns about the storm's potential impact on voter access in the region.
With just three weeks until Election Day, Edwards is encouraging his constituents to start thinking about alternative voting options and assisting those who may face challenges getting to the polls due to the storm's destruction.
Rep. Edwards Calls for Electoral Preparedness in Helene-Ravaged District
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Edwards said, "There will likely be some people out there that, for one reason or another, will not be able to exercise their most important constitutional right."
Hurricane Helene left an estimated "about 100 deaths" in Edwards' district alone, with many still missing. The storm caused significant damage to life and property, including approximately 9,200 acres of western North Carolina.
Rep. Edwards Calls for Electoral Preparedness in Helene-Ravaged District
Edwards' district is among the hardest hit areas in the Southeast, where Hurricane Helene left billions of dollars in destruction and over 230 fatalities.
Voter access is a particular concern in North Carolina, which was a battleground state in the 2020 presidential race and has approximately 17% of its registered voters in counties designated as Helene disaster areas.
Rep. Edwards Calls for Electoral Preparedness in Helene-Ravaged District
Edwards is urging residents to request absentee ballots if they don't think they'll be able to vote in person and to plan to vote early. The North Carolina state legislature has approved $5 million in emergency funding for the State Board of Elections to address the storm's effects.
On the federal level, Edwards gave the government's response a "C-minus," criticizing the delay in aid arriving in the affected areas. Despite President Biden leaving a voicemail for Edwards on Friday, Edwards did not indicate whether he would return the call.
Rep. Edwards Calls for Electoral Preparedness in Helene-Ravaged District
Edwards said, "This storm was over about 10 a.m. on Friday, and it was into Tuesday before we saw the first boots on the ground from FEMA, before we saw the first helicopters with food and water."
Amidst the challenges of recovery, Edwards is determined to ensure that his constituents are not deprived of their right to vote. By raising awareness and offering practical solutions, he aims to mitigate the potential impact of Hurricane Helene on electoral participation.
