JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a cone of uncertainty stretching from Virginia to New England, Hurricane Sandy, or as some are calling her “Frankenstorm,” has the potential to not only stir up the surf but also the election.
"It’s a potential for a huge problem, but we obviously need to know where the storm is going,” said University of North Florida political science professor Matthew Corrigan.
Corrigan says this year the Obama campaign has been really pushing early voting. This was the first year the President, himself, voted early.
Here in Florida, more than half of voters are expected to head to the polls before November 6. But in states where Sandy strikes they’ll likely see a much lower early voter turnout.
If those states are big swing states, like Ohio or Pennsylvania, Corrigan says it could have a big impact especially if the storm effects linger.
"If it's a one day event, I don't think it's a big deal. But if it's an event like we've had here in Florida, where the power is knocked out for 4-5 days, then that'll really impact early voting,” Corrigan said.
Despite some publications, like U.S. News and World Report, saying Obama would hold the advantage if that were to happen, Corrigan says it’s not that simple to predict.
"I think it's a little too early to tell,” he said.
Early voting begins Saturday morning in Florida. The
Duval Supervisor of Elections website has a voter guide and a precinct finder, and a
list of all the amendments.
