Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed an executive order today, 10/15, extending the voter registration deadline in four counties hit by Hurricane Michael to tomorrow, 10/16.

Election offices in Clay, Grady, Randolph, and Turner Counties were forced to close early on Tuesday, Oct. 9,  due to the potential impact of Hurricane Michael and in response to the Governor’s State of Emergency.

Under the executive order, election offices in the four counties must accept voter registration applications through tomorrow, Oct. 16.

Any voter registration applications from residents of those four counties that are completed and returned or otherwise post-marked by Oct. 16 shall be considered timely for purposes of voting in the November 2018 general election.

“Would-be voters in these four Georgia counties were denied a full and fair opportunity to register and vote in the wake of Hurricane Michael,” Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law said.

“Today’s decision to extend the voter registration deadline helps ensure that eligible voters in these counties will not be barred from participating in the November election through no fault of their own.”

The Lawyers’ Committee said Deal’s move is in response to an Oct. 10 demand letter issued by them to keep the voting process democratic in a state that is under heavy scrutiny for voter suppression. 

“We strongly urge Clay, Grady, Randolph, and Turner County residents who were unable to register to vote because of Hurricane Michael to take full advantage of this extension to register online, in person at a board of elections, or by mail postmarked no later than October 16, 2018, to ensure that they are able to vote in the November general election,” John Powers, an attorney with the Lawyers’ Committee said.

If prospective applicants have any questions about the executive order or wish to register to vote, they may call the national, non-partisan Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OURVOTE for additional information.