Gov. DeSantis declares emergency in 7 counties across Florida as flooding threatens Election Day polling sites

Torrential rain along Florida's central and eastern coastline and in some inland counties has flooded roads, led to school shutdowns in some counties, and prompted election officials to find alternative polling places in affected areas.Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday afternoon issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties.Included in the order is a provision allowing local supervisors of elections in affected areas to designate new polling places at sites that are unsafe or where voters can't reach them because roads are blocked by flooding. State law requires election officials to "designate a new polling place which shall be accessible to the public on election day" when a state of emergency is in effect, and to post a notice at the old polling place informing voters of the alternative precinct."The Division of Elections is in contact with the counties impacted and will respond pursuant to state