Additional Coverage:
Due to Hurricane Helene, North Carolina’s election board has granted more flexibility to western counties severely impacted by the storm.
Residents can now obtain and return absentee ballots in person until the day before the election and drop them off at any county election board or polling site within their county. Absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. ET on Election Day.
County boards have the authority to modify early voting hours and schedules, move polling sites, and hire poll workers from other counties.
Although the storm damaged some ballots, many have been returned despite disruptions to mail service. Voters can track the status of their absentee ballots.
Other states, including Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, have also implemented changes to their voting processes due to the hurricane.