Voter registration deadline extended in South Carolina due to Helene impacts

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- Voters in South Carolina will now have additional time to register to vote in the upcoming general election.

The South Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit late Thursday seeking to extend the voter registration deadline to Oct. 14, citing “damage and chaos” caused by Hurricane Helene.

“The damage, especially in some areas, is catastrophic in the likes of which he hadn’t seen,” Mount Pleasant-based attorney Richard Hricik said during a Friday morning virtual hearing. “This is on behalf of all voters in South Carolina and to ensure that everyone has the right to vote.”

Judge Daniel Coble granted the motion for temporary injunction shortly after the brief hearing.

Hricik said the party worked with the State Election Commission to ensure an extension would be feasible.

“It’s my understanding that it’s tight, but we can do it,” SEC counsel said. “It should not impact early voting and we should be able to get out all of the poll books, e-poll books, and the printed registration, but we would have to start doing and planning for it immediately in order to accomplish that without any interruption.”

Counsel further said the agency notified the governor’s office, the state attorney general’s office, and state House and Senate leadership of the request.

Helene left a pathway of destruction across South Carolina. Many residents endured heavy flooding, power outages, and damaged infrastructure – especially in the Upstate.

At least 41 storm-related deaths have been reported across the state and many still lack power or internet access. Multiple government offices, including those that handle voter registration, are also closed.

This is not the first time South Carolina has pushed back its voter registration deadline because of severe weather.

The deadline was also extended in 2018 after Hurricane Florence brought widespread flooding and gusty winds to the Carolinas, causing severe damage, especially in the Pee Dee region.

Voters across South Carolina will take to the polls on Nov. 5 to cast their ballots for president, the U.S. House, the state legislature, and a slew of county and local offices.

Early voting begins on Oct. 21 and ends on Nov. 2, 2024.

This story is breaking and will be updated.