• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

‘Can’t wait till the last minute’: NC congressman raises alarm on voter access in areas hard hit by Helene

by October 12, 2024
written by October 12, 2024

The U.S. congressman representing one of the areas hit hardest by Helene is raising concerns about the deadly storm’s impact on voter access in the region.

‘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,’ Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview Friday.

Edwards is urging his constituents to make plans now, sending out a press release to residents of his district roughly three weeks before Election Day, asking those who intend to vote to start figuring out how they will do so.

‘I’ll also follow up with folks in the area and make offers to help get transportation for those folks that feel like they might not have a normal life or a transportation style to make it to the polls,’ Edwards said.

‘I’m concerned. But I also have a lot of confidence with the folks in the area to help folks exercise that constitutional right. We just have to start thinking about it now. We can’t wait till the last minute, as too many times we’re accustomed to doing.’

Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast two weeks ago, leaving billions of dollars of destruction and more than 230 people dead across multiple states.

Edwards estimated his district alone has seen ‘about 100 deaths’ but noted many were still missing.

‘About 9,200 acres of western North Carolina was affected in 28 counties. About 6,000 of that is right here in my district,’ he said.

In addition to the devastation to life and property, however, the storm could have potentially severe ramifications for the election. North Carolina and Georgia, two of the hardest-hit states, emerged as battlegrounds in the 2020 presidential race.

About 17% of North Carolina’s registered voters are in the counties designated as Helene disaster areas, according to Michael Bitzer, a professor of politics and history at Catawba College.

‘Folks are still in the process of putting their lives together, desperately trying to get their power back on, trying to get in touch with their loved ones, trying to dig out from the debris and not really thinking that there’s an election coming up here in three weeks or so,’ Edwards said. 

‘So, what I’m encouraging everyone to do is to start thinking about that now, to request an absentee ballot if you don’t think you’re going to be able to get to a poll or to plan to vote early.’

The North Carolina state legislature is already moving to mitigate possible issues. 

State lawmakers approved $5 million in emergency funding for the State Board of Elections to deal with the storm’s effects, and they also expanded emergency measures put in place by the election board that allow counties to modify early voting days and locations.

On the federal level, Edwards said he would give the government’s response a ‘C-minus.’

‘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,’ he said.

Asked about outreach from U.S. leaders, Edwards said President Biden called him earlier on Friday but left a voicemail. He did not indicate whether he’d return the call.

‘It was maybe a 10-second clip going, ‘Attaboy. Keep up the good work. We’re thinking about you,’’ Edwards said.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Gold and Silver: New Higher Targets and Prices for Friday
next post
VP Harris releasing detailed medical report, challenging Trump to do the same

related articles

Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize...

August 2, 2025

Recess on ice as Republicans hunker down for...

August 1, 2025

Trump moves nuclear submarines weeks after praising sub’s...

August 1, 2025

WATCH: Trump says he is hopeful Hillary Clinton...

August 1, 2025

Iran says it has ‘plenty of scientists’ left...

August 1, 2025

Trump endorses ‘MAGA warrior’ for RNC chairman after...

August 1, 2025

Trump repositions 2 nuclear submarines after ‘highly provocative’...

August 1, 2025

Kavanaugh cites 3 presidents in explaining Supreme Court’s...

August 1, 2025

China’s growing nuclear arsenal aims to break US...

August 1, 2025

Trump ally Bukele’s party amends El Salvador constitution...

August 1, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • American released by Taliban returns home to ‘champion’s welcome’

    March 21, 2025
  • Lockheed Martin’s stock soars: What’s behind the 7-day rally?

    August 1, 2024
  • ApeCoin and Akita Inu: ApeCoin makes a new weekly high

    August 21, 2024
  • With 7 days until voting starts, ‘election season’ kicks off sooner than you think

    August 30, 2024
  • Long MSTR: MicroStrategy’s Bold Bitcoin Bet, $2B Stock Offering Fuels Rebound, Eyeing $500

    January 7, 2025

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 3

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 4

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (5,603)
  • Investing (634)
  • Stock (867)

Latest Posts

  • Paramount ends DEI policies, cites Trump executive order

    February 28, 2025
  • Republicans vie to replace Matt Gaetz in crowded 10-way special election primary

    January 28, 2025
  • He plays rich on screen but dreams of full-time work: ‘Why can’t I get a living wage?’

    July 12, 2024

Recent Posts

  • Blue state Republicans threaten rebellion if Senate changes key provision in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    June 5, 2025
  • CAVA Stock Price: News and Price Forecast 2025

    September 2, 2024
  • Trump claims Canada ‘considering’ offer of free Golden Dome in exchange for becoming 51st state

    May 28, 2025

Editor’s Pick

  • Alleged attempt to impersonate White House chief of staff under federal investigation

    May 30, 2025
  • NASA spent $13M on DEI under Biden while critical mission, quality controls flailed, watchdog group says

    March 12, 2025
  • Bipartisan senators’ bill would require Congress to approve new tariffs

    April 3, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock