Is Florida ready for Election Day after back-to-back major hurricanes?

There are less than 22 days until the election. Is Florida ready? This comes after it was hit by two major hurricanes in less than a month.

So far, more than 525,000 Floridians have voted in the general election, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab. But for thousands of others, it’s hard to think about voting when their lives are literally in pieces.

“He’s upset,” Mandy Snyder told us last week when we asked her about her father’s damaged Englewood home. “He thinks he’ll go to Wellen Park and rent for a year.” It’ll probably take another year to get there – I don’t know if you’ve walked around yet. It’s – it’s bad.”

Florida election officials are now expected to soon ask Gov. Ron DeSantis for more flexibility on state rules in affected Milton counties. This is what the association’s managing director, David Ramba, says. In an email, he said, “We will likely make another request to the governor today (Monday)…”

While Hillsborough elections director Craig Latimer said his county is ready for Nov. 5, he did not rule out inquiries from his neighboring election directors. Latimer expected the governor to respond.

“I’m telling you that the Florida Statewide Association of Election Supervisors is meeting right now – our leaders have been meeting and talking to the affected counties to see if there are other reliefs that they might be able to apply for,” Latimer said. “I assume there will be further measures at some point.”

The carers’ association had previously asked Helene for help. DeSantis later offered an order for 13 affected counties. It relaxed rules on early voting locations, poll worker training, locations where ballots were mailed and dropbox drop-off deadlines.

“Voting has not been possible for some time,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez (R-Florida). “Early voting will begin – depending on the county – in a few days.”

Although Núñez did not provide specifics on what plans were planned, she assumed DeSantis would consider any request from election officials as voting deadlines approached.

“We want to ensure that people have the opportunity to vote in a safe manner and maintain the integrity of the election,” he said. “So I’m sure the governor will look into that. Addressing all the needs as there are current needs.”

Time will tell whether DeSantis gets the markers out on a new order — meanwhile, Democrats in Florida urged him to act as quickly as possible. In a statement, Chairwoman Nikki Fried specifically called for statewide polling locations like those approved after Hurricane Ian.

“With the election just over 20 days away, it is important to ensure voters in all counties affected by Hurricane Helene and Milton have access to the ballot box,” Fried said. “We must ensure that all affected Floridians have an equal opportunity to vote in this crucial election.”

While DeSantis pushed back against extending the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline, he said he would keep the door open for further voting orders after Milton.

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