Flash floods on Florida’s east coast forced last-minute Election Day polling moves in seven counties, while rain and storms also threaten travel in other midterm battlegrounds.
What changed overnight
Heavy rain and flash flooding forced Florida officials to shift Election Day voting sites less than a day before the polls opened. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-227 late Monday, declaring a state of emergency and allowing supervisors of elections to relocate inaccessible precincts.
According to the Florida Department of State, the moves cover 19 temporary polling places in seven counties: Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie. Only voters assigned to those precincts must use the temporary sites. Everyone else should still go to their usual location.
National Weather Service meteorologists told NBC News that about 22 inches of rain fell in 24 hours in Palm Bay, one of the hardest-hit communities, with roads closed in several Treasure Coast and Space Coast cities. Showers were still possible into Tuesday, with a smaller chance of more flash flooding.
Key facts for voters
- Polls in Florida are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
- Election Day voters must use the polling place assigned to their precinct. A ballot cast at the wrong site may be treated as provisional and may not count.
- Palm Beach County said it emailed and texted affected voters when contact information was available and posted signs at closed sites.
- St. Lucie County closed schools and many government offices Tuesday and urged residents to stay off flooded roads.
Weather beyond Florida
AccuWeather and NBC News report that Election Day rain and thunderstorms could also complicate travel from the Gulf Coast into parts of the Mississippi Valley and Midwest, including areas of Texas, Iowa and Michigan. Much of the Northeast and Northwest was expected to stay mostly dry.
Political scientists quoted by NBC News say rain once cut turnout by a fraction of a point per extra inch, but early and mail voting have weakened that effect. Nationally, only about 37% of Americans now vote in person on Election Day, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission estimate cited in that coverage. Experts say it is hard to predict which party, if either, gains from wet weather.
What officials emphasize
Republican officials in Tallahassee framed the executive order as a practical step so residents in flooded counties can still cast ballots. State election agencies are telling voters to check the relocation list or call their supervisor of elections before leaving home.
Democrats nationally have spent Election Day pressing turnout after more than 57 million early ballots were already cast nationwide, according to University of Florida Election Lab figures reported by ABC News. For people still heading to the polls in flooded areas, the shared advice is simple: confirm your site, allow extra time, and do not drive through standing water. Officials warn temporary locations can still change if waters rise again.
Sources: Florida Department of State emergency polling list, Florida Politics, NBC News, CBS12 West Palm Beach, FOX 13 Tampa Bay, AccuWeather Election Day forecast, ABC News midterm live updates
