Historic floods have severely impacted western North Carolina just days before the presidential election, creating significant challenges for voters.

In response to the flooding, the U.S. Postal Service has suspended mail service across much of the region, complicating ballot distribution.

This area, while largely rural, is home to a substantial portion of North Carolina's nearly 7.7 million registered voters, including 570,000 in counties currently experiencing power outages.

As of the end of September 2024, 14 election offices in the region are closed, leading to uncertainty around voting logistics.

County officials are struggling to secure accessible early voting sites, as many locations may have been destroyed or rendered unusable by the floods.

With the voter registration deadline approaching on October 11, there is an urgent need for effective outreach to displaced voters.

Despite the pressing circumstances, there are no current plans to extend voter registration deadlines or implement measures similar to those taken after Hurricane Florence in 2018.

Additionally, the remnants of Hurricane Helene have disrupted the mailing of absentee ballots, necessitating their reprinting due to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s withdrawal from the race.

In Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, the electorate is heavily Democratic, contrasting with other counties that are dominated by Republicans or unaffiliated voters.