Election season and hurricane season always find a way to overlap on the calendar, and this year, they are creating quite a storm in the political landscape. As hurricanes hinder voting access, some voters have turned to the courts to seek extensions for voter registration deadlines in light of these natural disasters.
Hurricane Milton struck Florida as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, a barrier island known for its white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast. The storm moved across Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean, downing power lines, uprooting trees and flooding neighborhoods. Before making landfall, it also created threatening tornadoes.
Anthropogenic climate change has notably intensified Hurricane Milton, increasing its rainfall by 20% to 30% and its wind speeds by approximately 10%, according to scientists in a recent flash study. Researchers from World Weather Attribution indicated that without climate change, a hurricane like Milton would likely have been classified as a Category 2 storm, which is not considered as severe as a Category 3.
Hurricane Milton began as a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 5. It quickly intensified into a tropical storm before transforming into a Category 5 hurricane between Sunday, Oct. 6, and Monday, Oct 7. The central pressure dropped below 900 mbar, driven by the unusually high sea surface temperatures in the Gulf. On Oct. 7, Climate Central issued an alert as Hurricane Milton continued its rapid intensification, with winds increasing by 120 mph in 33 hours. This intensification was fueled by the abnormally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to the storm’s swift escalation to Category 5 status.
Floridians are still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Milton, with many trying to return home after fleeing for safety. State and local officials are bracing for additional challenges that Hurricane Milton could pose to voting in the upcoming general election.
Governor Ron DeSantis has allowed for flexibility in distributing mail-in ballots and changing polling locations for in-person voting due to the hurricane’s impact. Adjustments to the electoral process may be necessary following Hurricane Milton.
Florida has a long history of accommodating such events, given the frequency of hurricanes in the region. This year, voter advocacy groups are urging a judge to reopen the voter registration period, arguing that many people may have missed their chance to register because of the chaos caused by the hurricanes.
Hurricane Helene forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, rendering some uninhabitable. This situation has left many unable to receive mail-in ballots at their registered addresses, a problem that may worsen due to Hurricane Milton.
“It’s possible that mail ballots could be lost, whether in transit to voters or returned by them. They could also be damaged, especially in high winds and flooding,” said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research.
In such cases, voters can request replacement mail-in ballots or choose to vote in person.
Hurricane Helene also caused significant damage to voting infrastructure, particularly in the areas where Florida’s Panhandle meets its peninsula. Polling locations could face further challenges from Hurricane Milton, especially in the Tampa Bay area.
After Hurricane Helene, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order granting flexibility for election officials in the 13 hardest-hit counties. This order allows for changes to early voting and Election Day polling places and makes it easier for residents to request mail-in ballots to be sent to addresses different from their registered ones.
The order also includes provisions to prevent a potential shortage of poll workers by waiving training requirements for experienced workers and permitting poll workers to travel from other counties.
A federal judge recently denied a request to reopen voter registration after considering arguments from both sides. The plaintiffs, including the Florida chapters of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, are deliberating whether to appeal the decision. They argue that thousands may have missed the registration deadline due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene or preparations for Hurricane Milton.
