The U.S. congressman representing one of the areas hardest hit by Helene is concerned about the deadly storm’s impact on voter access in the region.

“There will probably be some people who, for one reason or another, will not be able to exercise their most important constitutional right,” Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview Friday.

Edwards is urging his voters to make plans now, sending a news release to residents in his district about three weeks before Election Day, asking those who intend to vote to start determining how they will do so.

“I will also follow up with people in the area and make offers to help get transportation for those who feel like they may not have a normal life or style of transportation to get to at the polls,” Edwards said.

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“I’m concerned. But I also have a lot of confidence in the people of the region to help people exercise this constitutional right. We just need to start thinking about it now. We can’t wait until the last minute, so many times, we are used to doing it.

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Hurricane Helen ravaged the Southeast two weeks ago, causing billions of dollars in destruction and more than 230 deaths in several states.

Edwards estimated that his district alone had recorded “about 100 deaths” but noted that many of the missing were still unaccounted for.

“About 9,200 acres of western North Carolina were affected in 28 counties. About 6,000 of them are right here in my district,” he said.

However, in addition to the damage caused to lives and property, the storm could have serious consequences for the elections. North Carolina and Georgia, two of the hardest-hit states, have become battlegrounds in the 2020 presidential race.

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About 17 percent of registered voters in North Carolina are in counties designated as disaster areas by Helene, according to Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College.

“People are still rebuilding their lives, desperately trying to get power back on, trying to get in touch with their loved ones, trying to get out of the rubble and not really thinking that there will be an election here in about three weeks,” Edwards said.

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“So what I encourage everyone to do is start thinking about it now, request an absentee ballot if you don’t think you can make it to a ballot or plan to vote early. “

The North Carolina state legislature is already taking steps to alleviate potential problems.

State lawmakers approved $5 million in emergency funding for the State Board of Elections to deal with the storm’s effects, and they also expanded emergency measures put in place by the board elections that allow counties to change the days and locations of early voting.

At the federal level, Edwards said he would give the government’s response a “C-minus.”

“This storm ended around 10 a.m. Friday and Tuesday before we saw the first FEMA boots on the ground, before we saw the first helicopters carrying food and water,” he said.

Asked about outreach to U.S. leaders, Edwards said President Biden called him earlier Friday but left a voicemail. He did not say whether he would call back.

“It was maybe a 10-second clip saying ‘Attaboy. Keep up the good work. We’re thinking of you,'” Edwards said.

Original article source: ‘I can’t wait until the last minute’: NC Congressman sounds alarm on voter access in Helen’s hard-hit areas