Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, former state Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell stressed the importance of advanced preparation for disasters in Congressional testimony Tuesday.
Helene roared through western North Carolina after the first absentee ballots were in the mail and three weeks before the start of early voting last year. Despite washed out roads, voter turnout in western North Carolina exceeded the state average.
Brinson Bell told a subcommittee of the Committee on House Administration that preparation and close work with North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA were key to moving obstacles out of the way of voters. The subcommittee hearing was on running elections in the face of natural disasters.
State Board of Elections member Stacy “Four’”Eggers IV, a Watauga County resident, and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd also testified.
Given the FEMA funding cuts, Brinson Bell said she was not sure that the federal agency today would be able to supply the seven tents and security needed for polling sites last year.
Helene and previous disasters show the critical need for strong communication with federal, state and local partners and steady, reliable funding and advanced preparation, she said.
“Elections administrators are certainly concerned about the reduced support that we’re receiving from the federal agencies, particularly CISA (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency),” she said. “That was a critical partnership in helping us to build out what was really a six-year plan in how we were ready for Helene.”
Under Trump, CISA is doing less cybersecurity work for elections.
NC Board of Elections member Stacy “Four” Eggers IV testifies before a congressional subcommittee (Photo: screenshot)Brinson Bell was ousted from her job as state elections director when Republicans took control of the state Board of Elections in May.
Eggers, a Republican, said he was proud of the bipartisanship the state Board and county boards displayed in their disaster responses.
Among other allowances, the Board of Elections made it easier for residents of disaster counties to vote by mail.
“Any last minute changes to the settled rules and deadlines for an election should have bipartisan support,” he said.
Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03) praised the election officials for their work in the immediate aftermath of Helene, but he also signaled additional relief should not be taken for granted.
“[What] I hear constantly now is the cry of the federal government is not paying enough. We’re hurtling towards a financial sovereign debt crisis and it’s time actually for states to stop screaming for the federal government to pay, and now states take a little bit more burden,” said Murphy.
Murphy suggested North Carolina’s rainy day fund should be used to supplement the state’s needs.
“If there are discrepancies as we move forward, it’s time for the state to step up. We can’t default, we can’t bankrupt the country because we have things that need to be funded when states can do these also.”
Gov. Josh Stein travels to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday where he will seek an additional $13.5 billion to help with Helene recovery.
Hence then, the article about nearly a year after helene former nc elections director testifies about preparing for disaster was published today ( ) and is available on NC news line ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Nearly a year after Helene, former NC elections director testifies about preparing for disaster )
Also on site :