**Hurricane Helene Disrupts Voting in Western North Carolina** Creston, N.C. – The North Fork Voting House, a vital polling location for nearly 600 residents in this small mountain community, has been severely damaged by the recent flooding and mudslides caused by Hurricane Helene. The once quaint cinder block building, recently renovated with a new metal roof and handmade curtains, now lies in ruins, with debris scattered across the area. Devon Houck, director of the Ashe County Board of Elections, expressed concern over the implications of the storm on the upcoming Nov. 5 election. “There is already a lot of scrutiny on North Carolina due to its swing state status, and now this adds another layer of complexity,” he said. As thousands of residents in western North Carolina grapple with the aftermath of the storm—many still without water or power—the question looms: how will the election unfold in such a devastated region? In response, the North Carolina State Board of Elections has implemented emergency measures to ensure voting can proceed, including the designation of alternative polling places in the 13 affected counties. However, local election officials face significant challenges. Many early voting sites have been damaged, and the urgency of recovery efforts has shifted the focus of local campaigns. Candidates are prioritizing community assistance over traditional campaigning methods. Kristie Sluder, a Republican candidate for State Senate, noted, “All of our priorities have been reset. I’m now serving meals at the community center instead of attending candidate forums.” The storm's impact has also affected congressional races, with incumbent Representative Chuck Edwards halting his campaign activities to focus on recovery efforts. His Democratic opponent, Caleb Rudow, echoed the sentiment, stating that many campaign staff members are still without basic necessities. The situation recalls the 2016 election when Hurricane Matthew disrupted campaigning in North Carolina, ultimately benefiting the incumbent governor at the time. Current Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson has been active in disaster zones, while his opponent, Josh Stein, has also engaged in recovery efforts. Political analysts are uncertain about the election's outcome in light of the storm's devastation. The affected counties have a history of supporting Republican candidates, but the political landscape remains mixed, especially with liberal strongholds like Asheville facing potential low voter turnout. Despite the challenges, some residents remain determined to vote. Deanne Eversmeyer, a local horticulturalist, stated, “If we had to walk all the way to vote, we would.” As the community continues to recover, the focus on the upcoming election adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation.