Florida is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as state and local officials are now preparing for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton on the upcoming general election. Governor Ron DeSantis has already granted greater flexibility to counties affected by Helene in distributing mail-in ballots and changing polling sites for in-person voting. However, further changes may be necessary following Hurricane Milton. Voter advocacy groups are calling for a judge to reopen the voter registration period in Florida, as people may have missed the deadline due to being preoccupied with hurricanes. Helene made landfall in northern Florida on Sept. 26, the same day that mail-in ballots were being sent to voters, causing many to flee their homes and leaving them unable to receive their ballots.
The possibility of lost or damaged mail-in ballots due to Hurricane Helene is a concern, but voters can still request replacement mailed ballots or vote in person. The hurricane also damaged voting infrastructure, such as polling locations, in at least 13 counties. Governor DeSantis issued an executive order granting flexibility for election officials in those counties to alter their procedures because of Helene, allowing changes to early voting and Election Day polling places, and facilitating requests for mail-in ballots to be sent to different addresses. Efforts are being made to avoid a potential shortage of poll workers by waiving training requirements for experienced workers and allowing poll workers to be brought in from other counties.
The deadline for voter registration in Florida was Monday, and a federal judge denied a request to reopen registration despite arguments from plaintiff groups who believe many may have missed the deadline due to hurricane recovery or evacuation. The lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters and NAACP claims that the interest in voting tends to increase as the deadline approaches, similar to Christmas shopping behavior. However, the Florida Supervisors of Elections association did not request an extension of the registration period, stating that people had ample time to register. While there is little evidence to suggest that voter registration deadlines suppress participation, reopening it could potentially lead to disinformation and false claims about the election.
Following previous hurricanes such as Charley in 2004, Matthew in 2016, and Michael in 2018, Florida has had to make adjustments to election plans in affected counties. Former Governor Jeb Bush allowed changes in 10 counties after Charley, while Hurricane Matthew forced many government offices to close just days before the registration deadline in 2016. The lawsuit following Matthew led to a federal judge ordering a one-day extension. Governor Rick Scott allowed Gulf and Bay counties to make adjustments after Hurricane Michael in 2018. These instances show the necessity of making accommodations for elections in the wake of natural disasters in Florida. The focus now is on preparing for potential disruptions in the upcoming general election due to Hurricane Milton and ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate.
