Disasters in storm-hit states disrupt election process amid looming polling deadlines

With the presidential election just three weeks away, damaged infrastructure and an environment of civil unrest have disrupted the electoral process in the wake of storm devastation in the southern states of the United States.

Affected communities are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of the storm.

Speaking about the current situation regarding the recent hurricanes and elections, Lycoming County Elections Director Forrest Lehman said, “Election officials in these states are going to have a terrible time in the coming weeks.

“It’s going to take time just to assess the damage at the polls. Did poll workers die? How many ballots were lost in the mail? How do you assess all of that, recover from it? How are these people going to vote on Election Day?”

As the unfortunate natural disaster collides with election season, about 9,000 registered voters in Lycoming County have suggested voting by mail in this year’s upcoming presidential election, Lehman said.

“The mail is everywhere. We get people who get their ballots in two days. We get people who take two weeks,” he said.

He also urged those who have received their ballot by post to return it as soon as possible.

Here are some important dates for Lycoming County residents applying to vote by mail:

October 21 — deadline for registration to vote in elections.

October 29 — deadline for submission of application for postal voting and also application for absentee ballot.

November 5 — on election day.

First, Hurricane Helene hit Florida wreaking havoc and causing widespread damage in late September. Later, the storm hit western North Carolina, killing more than 230 people, flooding communities and damaging key facilities.

Damaged local and commercial structures make it even more difficult for the authorities to immediately repair the wreckage and create an environment conducive not only to the fair conduct of elections, but also to compensate for the loss of people’s assets.