Election Archives

Harris rips Trump for his criticism of federal storm response and calls for ‘dignity’

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris and the White House are criticizing Donald Trump for his attacks on the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and suggesting he is wrongly trying to turn the deadly storms to his political advantage. Attending a town hall sponsored by Univision in Las Vegas, Harris said, “I have to stress that this is not a time for people to play politics.” Those comments came after the former president spoke at the Detroit Economic Club, saying the Biden administration’s response had been lacking, particularly in North Carolina after Helene. “They’ve let those people suffer unjustly,” said Trump, who has for several days promoted falsehoods about the federal response.… Continue Reading

Trump offers prayers for people in hurricane’s path after lashing out at Harris and other women

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump offered his prayers to those in the path of Hurricane Milton as it lashed Florida while continuing to insult his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other women. “I don’t want to be nice,” Trump said at a Pennsylvania rally. “You know, somebody said, ‘You should be nicer. Women won’t like it.’ I said, ‘I don’t care.’” Trump was holding a pair of rallies as another hurricane threatened to overshadow the presidential campaign with fears that it would cause catastrophic damage in Tampa and other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Harris was to fly to Nevada later Wednesday for a western campaign swing, but first attended a federal storm briefing.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers pass $273M Helene relief bill with voting changes to more counties

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have approved an initial $273 million relief package to help address Hurricane Helene’s devastation and recovery in the mountains. The unanimous House and Senate passage on Wednesday came less than two weeks after Helene’s historical rainfall caused catastrophic damage and loss of life. Repubilcan legislative leaders who helped craft the measure described it as a down payment on aid. The bill also mostly follows rule alterations for conducting elections and turning in ballots that were approved unanimously Monday by the State Board of Elections for 13 western counties. But it would now cover 25 counties. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the board offered input for the bill.… Continue Reading

As FEMA prepares for Hurricane Milton, it battles rumors surrounding Helene recovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been fighting misinformation since Helene slammed into Florida nearly two weeks ago. The false claims are being fueled by former President Donald Trump and others just ahead of the presidential election, and are coming as the agency is gearing up to respond to a second major disaster. Hurricane Milton is set to strike Florida on Wednesday. The FEMA administrator told reporters Tuesday that she’s never seen the disinformation problem as bad as it’s been with Helene. A county official in North Carolina says part of the problem is that affected regions have been largely without phone lines and internet, so outside voices have an easier time setting the narrative.… Continue Reading

Want to follow election results like a pro? Here’s what to watch in key states

WASHINGTON (AP) — As thousands of counties and towns report vote totals, it can be hard to figure out when the results reported so far will reflect the outcome. The first report of the night might show a massive lead for one candidate, but why does that lead dwindle in some races but grow in others? What’s the difference between a “mirage” and a real outcome? Past elections can provide a guide. They show that mail-in votes in recent elections have leaned heavily toward Democrats — and that in some states, counties report those ballots first. That can create a so-called “blue mirage” in races that end up being only narrow victories for Democrats or even substantial victories for Republicans.… Continue Reading

Harris can’t point to anything she would have done differently than Biden in ‘The View’ appearance

NEW YORK (AP) — Kamala Harris has three media appearances on Tuesday in New York. She sat for a conversation with the women of “The View,” will speak with radio host Howard Stern and will tape a show with late-night comedian Stephen Colbert. During her appearance on “The View,” she did not identify anything that she would do differently than President Joe Biden besides appoint a Republican to her Cabinet. Harris’ media blitz comes after she largely avoided interviews since replacing Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. Long past the midway point of her unexpected presidential campaign and with voting already underway, Harris is still introducing herself to Americans who will determine this year’s presidential election.… Continue Reading

FEMA administrator continues pushback against false claims as Helene death toll hits 230

LAKE LURE, N.C. (AP) — The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is again forcefully pushing back against false claims and conspiracy theories about how her agency is responding to Hurricane Helene. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell appeared Monday in Asheville, North Carolina, to assure residents that the government is ready to help. Misinformation has spread over the past week in communities hit the hardest. Former President Donald Trump and other prominent Republicans have questioned FEMA’s response and falsely claimed that its funding is going to migrants or foreign wars. The death toll from Helene has risen to at least 230.… Continue Reading

North Carolina residents impacted by Helene likely to see some voting changes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina State Board of Elections has unanimously passed an emergency resolution to make several voting changes in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. The board is made up of both Democrats and Republicans. The resolution passed Monday includes changes for 13 affected counties in western North Carolina such as allowing absentee ballots to be dropped off at Election Day polling places by 7:30 p.m. It also lets impacted voters pick up absentee ballots in-person until the day before the election. County election boards may also make changes to where early voting and Election Day polling places are located.… Continue Reading

US disaster relief chief blasts false claims about Helene response as a ‘truly dangerous narrative’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government’s top disaster relief official says false claims and conspiracy theories about the federal response to Hurricane Helene, which are being spread most prominently by Donald Trump, are “demoralizing” aid workers and creating fear in people who need recovery assistance. Deanne Criswell of the Federal Emergency Management Agency tells ABC that “it’s frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people.” She says the unfounded allegations have created a sense of fear and mistrust from residents against the thousands of FEMA employees and volunteers on the ground.… Continue Reading

Voters in North Carolina and Georgia have bigger problems than politics. Helene changed everything

VILAS, N.C. (AP) — Residents in North Carolina’s Watauga County are focused on survival rather than politics after Hurricane Helene ravaged much of the western part of the state. The storm and the destruction that followed came only weeks before the president election. And North Carolina is one of the most important swing states. But the race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris has taken a back seat as North Carolinians try to find loved ones who are missing and try to rebuild their homes and their lives. That hasn’t stopped the candidates from making frequent stops in North Carolina and neighboring Georgia in the storm’s aftermath.… Continue Reading