Daniel Wolfram
Heavy rain, strong winds, and long lines could dampen voter turnout across crucial battleground states.
Millions of American voters are preparing to head to their polling stations tomorrow to exercise their right as American citizens.
But according to CNN, a brewing storm system is charging across the heart of the country, stretching from the Great Lakes all the way down to the Gulf Coast.
The immediate threat is not catastrophic flooding. Instead, drivers face heavy road spray, large puddles, and slower commutes that could easily test their patience on Election Day. The weather could also impact voters if they are waiting in long lines outside their polling stations.
Battling the elements
“In these normally dry locations, voters should be prepared with rain gear when heading out or stopping at their polling places on their way to or from work, to help them stay dry in any outdoor lines,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
Such conditions can be devastating to an American election, as studies have shown that if there is persistent bad weather throughout Election Day, the average voter tends to stay home.
With over 43 million ballots already cast in early voting, any drop in turnout now could tip tight races in states like Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan.
Wind and storms
Farther south, the storm takes an angrier turn. Forecast models warn of intense thunderstorms erupting from eastern Texas into Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Strong winds pose the greatest threat to a high voter turnout. In Kansas, forecasters expect howling gusts between 30 and 40 mph, turning ordinary rain into a horizontal sheet.
Down in eastern Texas, voters and poll workers face dangerous squalls and damaging gusts that could slow voting lines right before the stations close.
Warm weather out east
However, do not expect to get wet if you are voting on the East Coast: “A washout is not expected with the wet weather along the Southeast Coast on Election Day,” said Roys. The eastern half of the country will see unseasonable warmth, with temperatures running 5 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
Temperatures will easily climb into the high 70s in Georgia and North Carolina. Even Midwestern battlegrounds like Ohio and Michigan will enjoy pleasant 60s.
Out west and along much of the Atlantic coast, rain will prevail. But there will also be dry patches where voters can stand in line without being soaking wet.
“In Southern California, as well as the Las Vegas area, voters may want to head to the polls during the morning hours. Rain is still expected during this time; however, there may be some dry patches, and the afternoon should feature steadier and much heavier rainfall,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Andrew Johnson-Levine explained.
