Fox News: North Carolina Lawmakers Optimistic About Voter Turnout Despite Hurricane Helene

North Carolina Lawmakers Optimistic About Voter Turnout Despite Hurricane Helene Impact

With early voting underway in North Carolina just weeks after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the state, lawmakers are expressing optimism about Americans’ access to the ballot box. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, a pair of Tar Heel Republican officials believe that former President Donald Trump will ultimately win the state.

“I think we’re actually going to see a shocking turnout here,” said Rep. Jake Johnson, a member of the state assembly. “People are really going above and beyond to make sure during this time – especially if they’re frustrated about the way the federal government has handled things.”

Rep. Chuck Edwards, whose district was hit hard by Helene, echoed Johnson’s sentiments, stating, “Although we’re very busy right now recovering from the storm, we remember what all our lives were like the day before Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina.”

Despite the devastation caused by the storm, concerns about voter access in the swing state have been addressed through bipartisan efforts. The Republican-led state legislature worked with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to pass a sweeping elections package to make it easier for people in affected counties to reach a ballot box ahead of the upcoming election.

Edwards, who initially expressed concerns about residents not being able to vote, now believes that North Carolina will see record turnout at the polls. He noted that early voting facilities have been bustling with enthusiastic and optimistic voters.

Meanwhile, Johnson highlighted the storm recovery itself as a driving force behind increased voter turnout for Trump. He pointed to the perceived lack of federal response in rural areas of North Carolina as a factor that could sway voters towards the Republican party.

Both lawmakers credited the state government’s elections legislation for facilitating voter turnout in the aftermath of the storm. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, North Carolina residents shattered the state’s first-day early voting record, fueling optimism among officials that the storm will have little impact on likely voters.

As the state prepares for the upcoming election, a recent poll shows a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina. With both campaigns pouring resources into the state, the outcome remains uncertain, but lawmakers remain hopeful about voter engagement and turnout in the wake of Hurricane Helene.