Come Hell or High Water: When a Hurricane Collides With Election Day?
About this Event
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HURRICANE COLLIDES WITH ELECTION DAY?
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN WHAT THIS CAN LOOK LIKE.
In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida just weeks before the General Election, leaving Tampa Bay communities dealing with flooding, power outages, damaged facilities and displaced residents.
The storms disrupted election preparations too. Pinellas County relocated 25 Election Day polling places, Hillsborough had multiple polling-location changes, and five Manatee County precincts were relocated following the storms.
Florida also issued emergency election measures for hurricane-affected counties as election officials adapted to damaged facilities, displaced voters and other storm-related challenges.
So this isn't simply a hypothetical “what if.” Tampa Bay has already experienced it.
On September 22, we're bringing election and emergency-management leaders together to talk about what happened, what was learned and how our communities prepare for the next time.
THE CONVERSATION
The evening will be moderated by:
🎤 Ellen Gustafson
Co-Founder & Executive Director, We the Veterans & Military Families
Ellen will lead a conversation with Tampa Bay election and emergency-response leaders:
🎙️ Craig Latimer
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
🎙️ Scott Farrington
Manatee County Supervisor of Elections
🎙️ Adam Pedzich
Response & Recovery Manager, Pinellas County Emergency Management
U.S. Coast Guard Veteran
Together, they'll take us behind the scenes of what happens when a natural disaster collides with one of our community's most important operations.
What happens when polling locations are damaged or inaccessible? How are voters notified when locations change? How do election officials prepare for power outages, communications disruptions, displaced residents and poll worker shortages? How do emergency managers and election officials coordinate during a crisis?
And when the plan suddenly has to change — how does a community adapt?
We'll talk about lessons from recent Florida storms, preparations already happening before the next emergency, and the role veterans, military families, first responders, volunteers and everyday citizens can play when their communities need them.
Then we'll open the conversation to you.
Bring your questions for our panel during a live audience Q&A.
🌮 DINNER. NETWORKING. REAL CONVERSATION.
Come straight from work. Doors open at 5:30 PM for complimentary Taco Tuesday dinner and networking, and the program begins at 6:00 PM.
So if Tampa traffic has other plans for you, don't let the 5:30 PM time stop you from registering.
📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
📍 American Legion Post 111
6918 N Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33604
🌮 5:30 PM — Doors Open • Dinner & Networking
🎤 6:00 PM — Program Begins
🕗 8:00 PM — Program Concludes
FREE ADMISSION • COMPLIMENTARY DINNER • NETWORKING • LIVE Q&A
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Veterans and military families, first responders, poll workers, emergency-management professionals, students, neighborhood and community organizations, business and civic leaders, volunteers — and any Tampa Bay resident who wants to better understand how our community prepares when the unexpected happens.
You don't need to work in elections or emergency management to be part of this conversation.
You just need to care about your community.
SERVICE DOESN'T END WHEN THE UNIFORM COMES OFF.
Vet The Vote is a national, nonpartisan initiative of We the Veterans & Military Families that encourages veterans and military family members to continue their service by serving as poll workers and supporting elections in their communities.
Veterans and military families understand preparation, teamwork, adaptability and service under pressure. Those same skills can make a difference right here at home.
No candidates. No campaigns. No party politics.
Just preparedness, service, resilience and community.
🎟️ RESERVE YOUR FREE SEAT
Admission and dinner are complimentary. Registration is requested so we can plan seating and food.
Come hungry. Come curious. Bring your questions.
We'll bring the tacos. 🌮
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
