Complete coverage of the 2012 Presidential Election including up-to-the-minute results when the polls close, live coverage from ABC News, related stories, videos and more.More >> Complete coverage of the 2012 Presidential Election including up-to-the-minute results when the polls close, live coverage from ABC News, related stories, videos and more.More >>
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Click through for an updated map of the storm's progress, complete with projected paths and historical data.More >> Click through for an updated map of the storm's progress, complete with projected paths and historical data.More >> New York City and other centers hit by "superstorm" Sandy began to restore power and transportation Wednesday and early Thursday, even as the recovery of more bodies pushed the death toll from the storm higher.More >> New York City and other centers hit by "superstorm" Sandy began to restore power and transportation Wednesday and early Thursday, even as the recovery of more bodies pushed the death toll from the storm higher.More >> Some of the numbers are staggering: more than 75 Americans dead, thousands evacuated from their homes, millions left without power for days and billions of dollars in damage from "superstorm" Sandy.More >> Some of the numbers are staggering: more than 75 Americans dead, thousands evacuated from their homes, millions left without power for days and billions of dollars in damage from "superstorm" Sandy.More >> As the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation rolled toward Canada Wednesday morning, it leaves behind at least 51 dead and millions without power.More >> As the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation rolled toward Canada Wednesday morning, it leaves behind at least 51 dead and millions without power.More >> The torrential rains and hurtling winds of "superstorm" Sandy are slowly passing through, along with some of the more acute health dangers such as falling trees and high flood waters.More >> The torrential rains and hurtling winds of "superstorm" Sandy are slowly passing through, along with some of the more acute health dangers such as falling trees and high flood waters.More >> Power outages and flooding caused by "superstorm" Sandy could lead to food safety problems and people need to take steps to ensure that their food supply is accessible and safe.More >> Power outages and flooding caused by "superstorm" Sandy could lead to food safety problems and people need to take steps to ensure that their food supply is accessible and safe.More >> The most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation cut a swath of destruction through the region, leaving at least 16 dead and millions without power.More >> The most powerful storm to hit the U.S. Northeast in a generation cut a swath of destruction through the region, leaving at least 16 dead and millions without power.More >> As Hurricane Sandy sent strong storm surges into the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Delaware Monday morning, federal officials warned that more than 50 million people could face historic flooding.More >> As Hurricane Sandy sent strong storm surges into the coasts of New Jersey, New York and Delaware Monday morning, federal officials warned that more than 50 million people could face historic flooding and damaging winds.More >>
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
With the presidential election just one week away, many are wondering what kind of impact Superstorm Sandy will have on voting.
Hurricane Sandy has knocked out power to several states across the northeast.
It could be days or weeks before power is restored and that could have an impact on the presidential election next week.
"In exceptional weather like this, we really don't have much in the way of an actual precedent to show us anything," Marc Schwerdt, Asst. Professor of Political Science at Lipscomb University, told Nashville's News 2.
Political scientists have long studied the effects of weather on voter turnout.
"Colder states actually have higher turnout than warmer states," Schwerdt said, adding, "When you have sudden weather on Election Day, like rain or snow, it can actually work to bring down voting turnout and that tends to benefit Republicans more than it does Democrats."
Schwerdt said he does not think the storm will be a huge problem next Tuesday.
"What I would expect is that things will calm down quite a bit," said Schwerdt. "If it's a situation where water has receded and power is out but things are getting back to normal, then I would expect it will have little or no effect."
Both parties, according to Schwerdt, are likely working on contingency plans behind the scenes to make sure every person who wants to vote has access and transportation to do so.
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