Superstorm Sandy that blew through the Northeast on Monday has left a devastating impact in parts of the Northeast that will possibly affect the election on Tuesday. Here as if write by home generator power in West Central NJ where major county roads are just starting to be cleared of downed trees and utility poles, it is unlikely that electrical power will be restored within the next two to three weeks. This storm may have a profound effect on election results here. (More below the fold)
My town uses electronic voting machines that may or may not be on backup generators (generators being used for essential municipal services may have to be diverted for election day use) and many residents are displaced and sheltering with friends and relatives outside of the area who still have heat and electrical power. The worst hits in New Jersey so far seem to have been almost equally distributed between Republican leaning areas of Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic counties, although Democratic areas of North Jersey and Atlantic City have also been hit hard.
I am certain that electricity will not be back on for most of the state by Tuesday, given the extent of the damage. No one has really talked much publicly about how this will affect the election here, probably for fear of appearing to be the first one to politicize the disaster. Since is is apparent that power will not be restored in time for the election to be held normally, I am wondering just what will happen here. Time to go out and refuel the generator.