New provisions give Sandy victims ways to vote - NBC40.net
With Election Day right around the corner, Atlantic County residents are taking advantage of countywide early voting systems.
Officials with the county say ten thousand ballots have been mailed in thus far.
This year, due to Hurricane Sandy, the state and county are giving the people most affected special ways to help them vote.
"There
have been provisions made now for first responders and for folks that
have been displaced by the storm to actually vote by email or fax. So we
are accommodating these folks," said John Piatt, a management
specialist in the county clerk's office.
Officials say victims
relocated to other parts of the state will have the opportunity to vote
on the federal ballot at any county clerks office.
Residents like Phyllis Bootel, who evacuated to Virginia during the storm, is grateful for the new provisions.
"It's
amazing because I was thinking I would miss it totally and wouldn't be
here for it. This affords me the opportunity to," said Bootel.
Displaced voters can also be transported to polling centers or vote via messenger.
The county has also found new polling centers to replace those damaged in the storm.
Even voters not affected by the storm are pleased with the government's action
"I
think it's wonderful and I think it's essential. Because if anything,
the hurricane has shown the government can work and people need to tell
the people that have helped that they've done a good job," said Lydia
Fecteau of Mullica Township.
County officials say they are happy
to ease the concerns of residents that thought they would miss out on
their most essential right.
"They've been concerned about this
election for a long time and to suddenly lose their opportunity to vote
is very serious so most of them are very, very grateful and happy that
we can accommodate them," said Piatt.
The county and state will continue to assist voters hit hardest by the hurricane.
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