Florida is expecting a high voter turnout for next week's election and election officials are working urgently to make it happen, addressing the challenges created by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Election supervisors are making last-minute adjustments to ensure safe and accessible polling options, after the storms damaged critical infrastructure across several counties.

Sandra Pavelka, professor of political science and public administration at Florida Gulf Coast University, said the storms added "tremendous challenges" to election preparations, particularly in the hardest-hit areas.

"Florida and the Southeast have experienced two major hurricanes right before the election, within two weeks of each other," Pavelka noted. "It's not only affecting the voter administrators but also the volunteers, the poll workers and the voters themselves."

In response to the damage, the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association collaborated with Gov. Ron DeSantis's office to implement emergency measures. DeSantis signed an executive order allowing adjustments to polling places, drop boxes, and vote-by-mail procedures in 20 counties significantly affected by the storms.

Dave Ramba, executive director of the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association, said emergency provisions have allowed them to adjust as necessary in areas where polling locations have been severely affected, like in St. Petersburg, where some polling sites are under sand.

"They've been wiped off the face of the coast of Florida, so clearly, we're not going to have that as a polling place," Ramba observed. "So, we worked for the governor's office, on individual counties, both on relocating some polling places inside the deadline that currently exists in law. But also allowing for some extension of time for early voting."

Pavelka urged Floridians to verify their polling locations and understand the voting options available, and stressed there is much more on the ballot than the presidential race. It also includes proposals to legalize marijuana use and reverse the state's newly enacted six-week abortion bank.

"Obviously, the natural disaster and these hurricanes we faced present a challenge, probably a greater challenge than we realize," Pavelka emphasized. "It's still important, going into the election and going into the vote, to do your research."

Ramba said he frequently travels and prefers to vote by mail, which offers convenience as well as a confirmation when his vote is counted. He stressed the importance of planning, just in case, for disrupted polling site access.

"Early voting is open across the state now," Ramba added. "If you're excited about it and you know you're going to vote, just go out and vote sometime in the next week and a half. If you wait 'til Election Day and there's a car accident or there's a holdup, or a protest or a thunderstorm, you know, it may impair your ability to vote."

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said he supports efforts to redistrict Indiana's U.S. House seats, and he's seen what could be redrawn maps floating around, but has not seen any official maps.

He shared his thoughts on Friday in a one-on-one interview with I-Team 8.

"People want to scream about gerrymandering. Listen, every state does it. Democrats do it. Republicans do it. I think what Republicans have kind of fallen into the trap of doing for many years in the establishment way of thinking is if we just play nice, they'll play nice, if and when they're in power. We found out that that doesn't happen. So, listen, we've got the ball. We need to run the ball down the field, and we should do everything we can to make big wins for Republican principles, constitutional concepts and I believe ... the Republican Party embodies those principles better than the other party does. So, I'm fully in support of President Trump and his offensive-minded strategy here."

Beckwith told I-Team 8 he does not know exactly what happened on Thursday in a closed-door meeting at the Statehouse with Vice President JD Vance, Gov. Mike Braun and other top state lawmakers.

However, Beckwith said, he is aware of the taxpayer cost to calling a special session.

He says it's worth it.

"I think in the long run, if we can get the outcome that we're looking for, I think it will be certainly we're going to have to spend money. Yes, they are expensive. Nobody takes that lightly. That is certainly a conversation that needs to be had, and we need to look at that. But, I do think if we can take the 1st and 7th districts back, and really make Indiana a powerhouse red state, and then also give Washington a boost with a little bit more in the majority there. I think, economically, it will pay off in the long run, and I think we'll see our investment have big returns."/p<>


Kyla Russell wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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A public funding mechanism for Seattle elections is up for renewal in next week's election.

The Democracy Voucher program was passed 10 years ago. It offers voters four $25 vouchers to use each election cycle for candidates who accept certain fundraising and spending limits. Supporters said it is a model for more inclusive democracy, touting higher turnout, increased participation from more small donors and a more diverse candidate field.

Spencer Olson, spokesperson for the group People Powered Elections Seattle, which supports Proposition 1, said the program helps level the playing field.

"It's really important that people's voices are heard and that candidates can run being supported by their constituents," Olson contended. "Versus just listening to those wealthiest donors, those special interests that have historically been the loudest voices at the table and really dominated what priorities rise to the top."

The voucher is supported by a property tax. Olson and other supporters hope to bring the model statewide. Critics said the program is not big enough to make a difference in elections and has not curbed outside spending. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Olson pointed out the vouchers have succeeded in encouraging more diverse participation in local elections.

"The intention of the program was to bring a public financing program to Seattle elections to help empower more candidates -- more diverse candidates, women, renters, people of color -- to have equal access to be able to run, and run competitive elections without having to rely on wealthy donors, special interests," Olson emphasized.

Olson noted because the money comes from a dedicated tax levy, unused vouchers roll over to the next election.

"The goal isn't to create an unlimited pot of money but to be able to provide resources for candidates to run with the community's support," Olson stressed. "But it's not a blank check at the same time."


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Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.