Despite the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, elections officials in North Carolina are confident that the election process will proceed smoothly. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), assured the public that efforts were being made to get county boards of elections up and running, despite some offices remaining closed due to the storm.
Brinson Bell mentioned that all county board election members in the affected areas were safe, with no damage reported to election offices. Special emergency kits containing essential equipment were being deployed to help facilitate the process of voting in areas impacted by the storm.
The Election Board has made allowances for affected areas to reschedule absentee board meetings and voting procedures are still set to take place as planned. Voters are encouraged to visit the NCSBE website for the latest updates and information on voting procedures and registration.
While the voter registration deadline is approaching, and early voting scheduled to begin soon, Brinson Bell remains confident that voting issues can be addressed. Plans for conducting the election in Western North Carolina amidst the aftermath of the storm are being developed, including possible funding and logistical support for county election boards.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm, the NCSBE is committed to delivering accurate, safe, and secure election results, ensuring that the people of North Carolina can have faith in the voting processes. Unofficial results are expected to be posted on November 5th, and Brinson Bell emphasized that election integrity remains a top priority.
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