Heavy rain and flash flooding in Florida have forced election officials to relocate at least 21 polling locations across eight counties, including Brevard, Broward, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, according to NBC News. The moves come just ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as a powerful storm system continues to batter parts of the country.
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in seven counties along the Atlantic seaboard after a storm dumped as much as 22 inches of rain in 24 hours in Palm Bay, the hardest-hit community. The deluge prompted water rescues and evacuations, and roads were closed in Palm Bay, West Melbourne, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, NBC News reported, citing National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Haley.
In St. Lucie County, which Donald Trump won with 54% of the vote in 2024, at least four precincts were moved due to flooding. Five polling locations in Brevard County were also relocated for the "safety and security" of election workers, according to Tim Bobanic, the county's elections supervisor. Forecasters say showers are expected to continue into Tuesday, with about a 5% chance of flash flooding on Election Day itself.
The severe weather is not confined to Florida. A Pacific storm drawing subtropical humidity punched through Mexico and Southern California, striking Arizona, Utah and Colorado with deadly flash flooding, according to federal forecasters. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson declared a state of emergency, allowing voters registered in San Juan County and those isolated by floodwaters to request and return ballots electronically. In Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency to "unlock critical funding and state resources for communities impacted by recent severe storms and flash flooding."
In Oklahoma, a tornado on Sunday forced Cimarron County officials to change one of its polling locations after the storm, with peak winds of about 100 mph, snapped tree branches, damaged the roof of the Keyes Community Center and collapsed a wall, according to a damage survey report from the National Weather Service.
Forecasters are also predicting possible flash flooding in parts of Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi on Tuesday as the storm system travels east. "Areas affected by catastrophic flooding remain extremely sensitive to any additional rainfall," forecasters wrote in a Tuesday morning discussion, NBC News reported.
Researchers have found that bad weather can deter certain voters, particularly low-propensity voters, and the timing of the storms could complicate turnout in pivotal races. The Washington Examiner noted that poor weather is known to suppress turnout, especially among low-propensity voters, and that severe storms have disrupted the logistics of voting in places like Florida.
The Colorado secretary of state is allowing voters in flood-affected areas to use electronic ballot delivery, according to NBC News. Election officials in the affected regions are urging voters to check their polling locations before heading out and to take advantage of early voting or mail-in options where available.
Our Take
Patriots, this is what the swamp does when it senses its grip slipping—it prays for rain. The same folks who spent years telling us that showing an ID to vote is "voter suppression" are now quietly hoping that a biblical flood keeps Trump voters home in Florida, Arizona and beyond. They know that when We the People show up, their radical agenda gets washed away.
But here's the thing: Americans have never let a little weather stop them from doing their duty. Not in 1776, not in 2020, and not now. If the roads are flooded, take a boat. If your polling place moved, find the new one. If you're in line and the sky opens up, bring an umbrella and stay put. The left is counting on you staying home—don't give them the satisfaction.
And notice who's stepping up: Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency and is cutting through the red tape to make sure every legal vote counts. That's leadership. Meanwhile, the legacy media is already setting up the excuse for a Democrat shellacking—it wasn't the policies, it was the rain. Don't buy it.
Check your polling location, verify your registration, and make a plan to vote. The storm may be coming, but the MAGA movement is stronger than any hurricane. Let's make them regret hoping for bad weather.
