College Students Face Voting Challenges After Hurricane Helene
- Hurricane Helene has closed campuses in western North Carolina, hindering college students' voting access.
- Students at UNC Asheville express a desire to ensure their votes count amidst personal challenges following the storm.
- The crisis highlights the need for support systems to assist young voters as they navigate the electoral process.
In October 2024, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has created significant challenges for college students in western North Carolina, particularly at UNC Asheville. With the campus closed and early voting relocated to a health center on the edge of campus, students now face difficulties in accessing the polls or obtaining absentee ballots. Many students have been reaching out for guidance on ensuring their votes count despite the obstacles caused by the hurricane. The political science professor at the university noticed that during this crisis, many students were proactively seeking information, showing a desire to participate in the electoral process. However, the professor also recognized the broader impact of the hurricane on the student body, with many being displaced and facing personal challenges, such as loss of homes and unreliable internet. There is a growing concern about young people's engagement in politics, especially those who are registered to vote in their home states versus those registered in North Carolina. The professor emphasizes the importance of developing voting habits among youth, arguing that once established, these habits lead to lifelong engagement in voting and civic participation. Overall, the intersection of natural disasters and the electoral process has spotlighted the unique challenges faced by college students who are trying to navigate vote participation during difficult times. This situation calls for increased support and resources to mitigate barriers and encourage voter engagement.