Elections are increasingly being shaped not only by political forces, but by floods, fires and extreme weather, according to a new report co-authored by a King’s College London academic.
Researchers found at least 94 elections and referendums across 52 countries had been disrupted by natural hazards over the past two decades and have called for governments to look more closely at election planning and disaster mitigation policies to ensure democratic participation is protected.
The report, from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), was co-authored by Professor Sarah Birch, from the Department of Political Economy at King’s, with Erik Asplund (International IDEA), and Professor Ferran Martínez i Coma (Griffith University).
Between 2006 and 2025, natural disasters have at times been too severe for election management bodies to mitigate, resulting in the postponement of at least 26 elections and referendums, either fully or in part, across different levels of governance. In 2024 alone, extreme weather disrupted 23 elections in 18 countries.
From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and heatwaves, these events are damaging infrastructure, displacing voters and forcing last-minute changes to electoral processes. As climate-related risks intensify, the pressure on already fragile democratic systems is expected to grow.
The report offers the first global analysis of how natural hazards are affecting elections across the entire electoral cycle, from planning to voting and results management. It draws on more than 100 real-time crisis briefs from the Election Emergency and Crisis Monitor , alongside 13 in-depth case studies spanning multiple regions.
“One of the reports' central findings stresses that electoral stakeholders should work in close coordination with meteorological, environmental protection, disaster relief and humanitarian agencies. This collaboration would enable them to utilize early-warning systems effectively, integrate elections into broader disaster management frameworks, and establish permanent joint working arrangements with disaster response agencies,” said Mr Asplund, Senior Advisor, International IDEA.
For example, in response to typhoon threats in Taiwan, the Election Management Body met with the Central Weather Administration to receive direct briefings and strengthen weather monitoring ahead of the 26 July, 2025, election.
Beyond documenting the risks, the report highlights how election authorities have adapted in times of crisis, offering practical lessons for governments and institutions working to safeguard democratic processes under increasing environmental pressure.
‘The analysis in this volume shows the importance of election timing in preventing natural hazards from disrupting elections. Elections should be held when disasters are least likely; in some cases, electoral management bodies will also need to consider alterations to election timelines to reduce the likelihood of disruption by short-lived disasters’, said Professor Sarah Birch, Department of Political Economy, King’s College London
The Alberta provincial legislature, for example, has moved its fixed election date from May, during the wildfire season, to October as part of a broader bill about emergency powers. The change will take effect in 2027.
“As natural hazards increase, training and contingency planning is more important than ever. Electoral Management Bodies should prepare for a variety of natural hazards that could affect elections. Preparation includes budgeting, detailed risk management and contingency plans specific to hazards that could potentially affect the elections, materials procurement, and training in risk management and crisis management. Preparation is key to the integrity and resilience of the elections,” said Prof Martínez i Coma.
Examples of preparedness measures include:
• County election boards in New Jersey conducting tabletop disaster simulations ahead of the 2020 elections to test coordination, response times and decision-making under crisis scenarios
• Election staff in Peru receiving structured training in disaster risk management, equipping both permanent and temporary staff to respond effectively to disruptions on election day
• The Election Commission of Sri Lanka working with the national Disaster Management Centre to coordinate more than 20 agencies on standby during the 2019 and 2024 general elections
• California requiring each county to develop detailed electoral contingency plans tailored to local risks, particularly in response to recurring wildfires
With climate-related risks increasing in frequency and severity, the report calls for greater investment in preparedness, coordination and long-term resilience to ensure elections can be conducted safely, inclusively and with public trust intact.
The report was published on 22 April, coinciding with Earth Day, and is available here .