In a press conference at Georgia’s state capitol, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reassured voters that the upcoming Nov. 5 elections will proceed without delay, despite the impact of Hurricane Helene. Emphasizing the integrity of Georgia’s election system, Raffensperger stated, Every vote matters, because every voter matters.
Election officials, including Georgia Elections Director Blake Evans, praised local efforts to maintain the election schedule despite storm-related challenges, such as power outages and connectivity issues at various local offices. Although neighboring South Carolina extended its voter registration deadline due to the storm, Georgia will not do the same. Voter registration closes on Oct. 7, and absentee ballots will be mailed on the same day, with early voting starting on Oct. 15.
Chief Operating Officer Gabe Sterling affirmed that transparency and efficiency remain top priorities and confirmed that no legal grounds exist to extend election deadlines. Despite minor storm-related damage, only three of Georgia’s 2,400 polling places will be relocated.
For the latest storm-related election updates, voters are encouraged to check the Secretary of State’s disaster recovery page or the My Voter Page for polling information.