Severe flash flooding in Missouri, caused by up to 8 inches of rain, has resulted in the deaths of at least five people, including a couple in their 70s who were election poll workers. The flooding, part of a storm system that also produced tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas, led to numerous water rescues. In Wright County, the couple's vehicle was swept away by flooding at Beaver Creek, while two other deaths occurred in St. Louis County. The storm system also caused tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas, though no injuries were reported from those events.
At least five people, including a couple in their 70s who were election poll workers, died in Missouri due to flash flooding caused by torrential rains. The storm system, which also spawned tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas, led to widespread flooding and numerous water rescues. In Wright County, the couple's vehicle was swept away by flooding, while two other deaths occurred in St. Louis County. The National Weather Service reported likely tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas, but no fatalities from those events.
A married couple, both poll workers, drowned in flash flooding in Wright County, Missouri, while on their way to an election site. Their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters from Beaver Creek, and despite attempts to swim to safety, they did not survive. The couple, aged 70 and 73, were found dead later in the morning. The Wright County Clerk's Office mourned their loss, highlighting their dedication to fair elections. This incident is part of a series of flood-related deaths in Missouri this week.
Severe flooding in Missouri has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, including two poll workers. The flooding has caused significant disruption and highlights the ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters in the region.
Wisconsin Republicans have filed complaints alleging that officials in Milwaukee and Madison illegally rejected Republican applicants for poll worker positions, claiming that this violates state law and undermines faith in elections. Election officials in both cities have refuted these claims, stating that some Republican nominees failed to complete required paperwork or respond to communications. This move aligns with the GOP's strategy of challenging election processes in key battleground states, following the false claims of election rigging in the 2020 election. The Republican National Committee has been overhauled with Trump loyalists and has promised to double down on election litigation ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Vice President Kamala Harris praised a "nonpartisan" poll worker named Vasu Abhiraman in a tweet, but it backfired when it was revealed that he is actually a liberal advocate promoting the progressive movement through his work at the Alliance for Justice. Social media users criticized Harris for the oversight, calling it a "major self-own" and questioning the credibility of her staff's vetting process. Abhiraman's role in training poll workers and promoting diversity in the judiciary was also highlighted, sparking further debate about his supposed nonpartisanship.
The Election Day glitch in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was not caused by voting machine malfunctions, but rather by poll workers struggling to operate the new equipment. Deputy Director Pete Zeigler clarified that no machines malfunctioned and voting was not halted. The affected ballots were stored in orange auxiliary bags and will be scanned once the issues are resolved.
