Record Early Voting Amid Hurricane Disruptions

North Carolina experienced a record turnout on the first day of early voting with over 353,000 ballots cast, surpassing previous years despite the impact of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant disruption, particularly in the western part of the state. Experts caution against interpreting these numbers as a sign of unaffected turnout, especially as hurricane damage has severely impacted infrastructure and accessibility to polling stations in areas like Asheville. Notably, there has been a significant shift favoring Republican voters in early voting figures, contrasting with historical trends where Democrats typically dominate early voting. Similarly, in British Columbia, advance voting has reached unprecedented levels with more than 28% of registered voters participating before the provincial election, driven by the convenience of multiple voting days. In both regions, the increase in early and advance voting reflects strong voter engagement and adaptation to challenges such as natural disasters. Meanwhile, in Dorchester County, South Carolina, officials addressed a clerical error that led to some residents receiving duplicate absentee ballots, assuring that voting integrity remains intact.