By: Erin Smith
After a lawsuit was filed by the Democratic Party against NC State Board of Elections Chairman Kim Westbrook Strach, a judge granted an extension to the voter registration deadline for 36 counties impacted by Hurricane Matthew. Late Friday afternoon Wake Superior Court Judge Don Stephens pushed the deadline to register to vote to this Wednesday, October 19.
Those counties impacted by Judge Stephens’ decision include: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.
Lawyers for the Democratic Party in North Carolina argued that the State Board of Elections’ refusal to extend the voter registration deadline in areas that were hit by the storm caused undue hardship for those that were displaced due to damage or flooding caused by Hurricane Mathew, according to reports. They also argued that the same day voter registration that is allowed during Early Voting is not helpful for someone who is wanting to vote by mail.
Lawyers representing the State Board of Elections argued moving the voter registration deadline would be a hardship on local Boards of Election staff as Early Voting is set to begin on Thursday, October 20, according to reports.
According to the Associated Press, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia have already extended their voter registration deadlines due to Hurricane Mathew.
The NC GOP said they are reviewing the judge’s order.
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