Residents Navigate Voting After Hurricane Helene

As the November elections approach, voting dynamics are being influenced by various local factors across states. In Pennsylvania, college students are grappling with the decision of whether to vote in their home state or where they attend school, with many opting for Pennsylvania due to its status as a key swing state. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, survivors of Hurricane Helene are determined to vote despite the devastation caused by the storm, which resulted in at least 95 fatalities and significant destruction in the region. The hurricane has made access to polling places more difficult, especially for students at the University of North Carolina Asheville, who are now relying on virtual resources to facilitate voting. The importance of turnout in North Carolina is underscored, as the state was decided by a narrow margin in past elections. Overall, the intersection of natural disasters, local politics, and student engagement is shaping the electoral landscape in these critical states.