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North Carolina election officials are grappling with the effects of Hurricane Helene with earning voting around the corner.

“State Board staff have contacted election officials in the affected counties in Western North Carolina to make sure they are safe, to gather information on damage to election and voting facilities, and to assess potential effects on absentee and in-person voting,” said the North Carolina board of elections in a statement.

Absentee voting has already started in the state. In-person early voting begins Oct. 17 and concludes on Nov. 2. Election Day is on Nov. 5.

“While we do not know exactly what is ahead, our guiding force between now and Election Day will be to do everything possible to ensure every eligible North Carolina voter can cast their ballot. Natural disasters have affected elections here in the recent past. As we did at those times, we will conduct a safe, secure, and successful election in 2024,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections.

North Carolina election officials launched a special webpage, ncsbe.gov/Helene, as a “source of information for voters affected by the hurricane.” The webpage will “include information on county board office closures, tips for voters affected by the storm, and basic information about voting in this election,” according to the state board of elections.

Helene damage has hit more swing states, including Florida and Georgia.