Ike damage might disrupt Galveston voting

GALVESTON, Texas, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Damage left by Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, could affect the county's 187,000 registered voters when they go to the polls next month, officials said.

Because the storm destroyed or damaged the homes of many voters, they are now living far from the voting precincts where they are registered to vote, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

"The biggest issue is that many of our Galveston County voters are displaced," county elections coordinator Douglas Godinich said.

There was a proposal to allow Hurricane Ike evacuees who are living in other areas of Galveston County to be able to vote at any county precinct Nov. 4, but that idea was rejected, Godinich said.

The newspaper reported that Galveston County Clerk Mary Ann Daigle turned down an offer by the

secretary of state's office because there wasn't enough time to complete the work needed to make the switch.

"We examined that option, and it is not a good fit," Godinich said.

He said displaced voters can avoid polling problems by casting a ballot during early voting, Oct. 20-31, or casting an absentee ballot by mail by Oct. 28.