The South Carolina Election Commission has extended the state’s voter registration deadline to Oct. 14 due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. The initial deadlines for voter registration methods were Oct. 4, Oct. 6, and Oct. 7, but all have now been extended to Oct. 14 for voters in all counties.
The extension was granted following a lawsuit filed by the South Carolina Democratic Party, which cited the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene as the reason for the request. The party emphasized the importance of ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone, regardless of political affiliation.
The South Carolina Republican Party also confirmed the deadline extension on social media. Several voter registration offices in Edgefield, Laurens, and McCormick remained closed due to the storm’s impact, which caused widespread power outages and flooding across the state.
At least 46 storm-related deaths have been reported, and recovery efforts are underway with the deployment of over 1,000 troops. The South Carolina Public Safety Department stated that the state is working to assist residents in the aftermath of the hurricane.
The lawsuit filed by the South Carolina Democratic Party echoed a similar extension request made in 2018 following Hurricane Florence. Three civil rights groups also called for an extension and urged the state to provide guidance on voting procedures for those affected by the storm.
Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency before Hurricane Helene made landfall to ensure that the necessary resources were in place to respond to the storm’s impacts. The state continues to work towards recovery and providing support to those affected by the hurricane. Can you rephrase this sentence?
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