Re Sandy: How will the election be effected if Sandy causes Katrina-level destruction?

[cherish44]

Legit question I'm sure many people are wondering....

What if roads, bridges, powerlines, are wiped out and people won't get to vote even if they wanted to?

Of course I care more about peoples' lives than anything and hope everyone stays safe. But are there any provisions for cataclysmic natural disasters occurring before or on election day?

[Indydem]

1. It will have little overall affect.

Even if there is Katrina level destruction to the entire Eastern Seaboard, the electoral votes for those states are going to end up with Obama.

It may affect the poplar vote, but that doesn't really matter.

[Cannikin]

2. I do not want to politicize this storm, BUT...

This does give the president an opportunity to show great leadership. Conversely, it gives Romney a chance to criticize the president for anything they can spin into a misstep.

[left-of-center2012]

3. It may affect turnout ...

....but, as has been said, those able to vote should toss the North East states to Obama.
It will probably take the President off the campaign trail to survey the damage;
but he'll be looking Presidential.

I'd expect Mittens and Kittens (Willard & Ann) to appear somewhere in the damaged areas,
offering their heart felt sympathies to those in the 47% who now need even more government aid.

[russspeakeasy]

4. "sympathies" and a basket of cookies.

[JDPriestly]

5. It won't do that much harm. Just relax.

Besides, Obama has got this, and his campaign is prepared for pretty much anything. Vote your absentee ballot right now.

If the devastation is that tremendous, Obama will have to order a national emergency. In that case, the election plans may have to be changed to allow for a longer voting period and to accommodate people displaced by the storm. I do not expect that.