(NewsNation) — Arguments over voter access are brewing as the November election approaches — particularly in storm-damaged Florida, which has 30 electoral votes.
Nothing is certain as crews continue to survey the damage from Hurricane Milton. However, voting rights groups have gone to federal court seeking to reopen voter registration, which ended Monday.
A federal judge shot down the request and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also refused to extend the deadline.
What happens now?
Activist groups may try to appeal the denial, claiming back-to-back hurricanes may have caused thousands of voters to miss the deadline.
Meanwhile, DeSantis said he’s prepared to issue an executive order that would allow supervisors to change voting sites in the wake of Hurricane Milton, but he hasn’t done so yet.
The governor has issued a similar executive order in 10 of Florida’s hardest-hit counties in response to Hurricane Helene. It allows election leaders to make early voting changes and set up consolidated polling sites. It also softens restrictions on mail-in ballots and allows state employees to take paid administrative leave to serve as polling workers on election day.
How could hurricane damage affect the 2024 election?
Despite the widespread damage across Florida, analysts predict the state will remain widely Republican. The state is home to a reported 5.3 million active registered Republican voters — a million more than Democrats.
North Carolina, still reeling from Hurricane Helene, is also an important swing state with 16 electoral votes.
Many of the hardest-hit areas from the Category 4 hurricane were Republican-leaning, affecting 8% of eligible voters.
Election leaders say they’re doing everything they can to ensure people will be able to cast their votes.