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Storms and flooding force polling site changes in several U.S. states on Election Day

NBC News reports that flooding, heavy rain and tornadoes forced polling location moves and emergency declarations across several states.

Published Nov 3, 2026 · 15:12 UTC1 reports

The short version

Flash flooding, heavy rain and tornadoes forced election officials in several U.S. regions to move polling places on Election Day.[NBC News]
In Florida, at least 18 polling sites moved after as much as 22 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, and Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency.[NBC News]
Arizona's governor issued a statewide emergency, and the New Mexico and Colorado governors asked for a federal major disaster declaration, and the reporting does not say how that request will be decided.[NBC News]
In Oklahoma, a Sunday tornado forced a polling location change in Cimarron County, with peak winds of about 100 mph according to a National Weather Service damage survey.[NBC News]

Officials moved at least 18 polling locations across seven Florida counties after flash flooding from Monday into Tuesday morning.[NBC News]
A Florida storm dumped as much as 22 inches of rain in 24 hours.[NBC News]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in seven counties hit by flash flooding and extreme precipitation.[NBC News]
A Sunday tornado forced Cimarron County, Oklahoma, officials to change one polling location.[NBC News]
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson declared a state of emergency and allowed isolated San Juan County voters to request and return ballots electronically.[NBC News]
The governors of New Mexico and Colorado asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster for federal funding assistance.[NBC News]
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs issued a statewide emergency declaration on Monday.[NBC News]

Online voting for voters in La Plata and Archuleta counties, Colorado, rests on a 9 News report and is not independently confirmed in this reporting.[NBC News]
The reporting does not say how many voters were affected or whether the relocations changed turnout, and it does not report the outcome of the federal disaster requests.[NBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.