Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced several new actions the state of Florida is taking to assist with its recovery from Hurricane Helene, including assistance with voting and shipping goods as the port strike continues.
The Florida governor announced the state’s National Guard and Florida State Guard would be deployed at key ports affected by the International Longshoremen’s Association work stoppage, where they will resume operations if possible. The governor contended that this strike will not only affect the country’s economy but also the victims of the hurricane in need of relief, calling the possible holdup of goods “simply unacceptable.”
“We need to accelerate,” DeSantis said at a Thursday press conference. “We have no time for delays. Biden and Harris have a responsibility to stand up for the storm victims, stand up for the people who had their homes damaged or have lost their homes, and make sure they have what they need to get back on their feet.”
At my direction, the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard will be deployed to critical ports affected by the strike to maintain order and, where possible, resume operations.
It is unacceptable for the Biden-Harris administration to allow supply chain interruptions… pic.twitter.com/KfzVbBgI10
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 3, 2024
DeSantis previously spoke harshly against the ILA’s strike after the hurricane, stating it is “intentionally” withholding aid from Hurricane Helene’s victims, many of whom reside in Southeastern states along the East Coast.
The Florida governor also detailed plans the state is enacting to ensure those living in areas most affected by the hurricane will still be able to vote in the 2024 elections. To do this, Florida’s supervisor of elections has been given the green light to set up new voting locations to replace the ones previously destroyed.
“But this will ensure that residents that were impacted by this storm, and displaced maybe, still have the ability to vote in this November’s election,” DeSantis said.
JUST IN: DeSantis signs executive order ensuring people can vote in November’s election in Helene-impacted areas by allowing more voting sites pic.twitter.com/XYUJ17iDfE
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) October 3, 2024
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Early voting is set to begin in the Sunshine State no later than Oct. 26 and will conclude a week later on Nov. 2, the Saturday before Election Day.
On Monday, Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) expressed worry that Hurricane Helene could seriously hurt voter turnout in the western part of his North Carolina, which “generally tend to be conservative.” North Carolina’s early voting is set to begin on Oct. 17 and will conclude on Nov. 2 like Florida.
