Ron DeSantis expands early voting, mail-in access for counties struck by Hurricane Ian

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an emergency executive order expanding mail-in ballot access and early voting in counties affected by Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian devastated areas of southwest Florida, with the damage centering mainly on Sarasota, Lee and Charlotte counties. Tens of thousands of residents there are still displaced from their homes as recovery and reconstruction efforts are ongoing.

DeSantis' order allows residents of those countries to request by phone that their mail-in ballots be sent to an address other than their residential address. It also expands the early voting period to begin on October 24 and end on Election Day, November 8.