Two Republican strongholds in western North Carolina will be required to add extra early voting sites — a victory for Republicans, who have made an about-face on early voting amid turnout concerns in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
State and local election officials say the new last-minute mandate — which the state legislature passed Thursday — will put additional strain on infrastructure and election workers in counties that were hit hardest in the aftermath of the storm.
“I’m glad the legislature has such confidence in our capabilities because this is a quick pivot that we’re going to have to pull off,” Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the state board, told reporters of the changes, at times appearing visibly upset when explaining the difficulties that the new requirements will pose. “This is tough. It is another big ask in a time when they are already stretched thin.”