Early Voting: Buncombe County Board of Elections Approves New Plan

In response to Tropical Storm Helene, the Buncombe County Board of Elections approved new times and locations for early voting under authority of an emergency resolution by the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE).

On Oct. 7, the NCSBE authorized Buncombe and a dozen other counties that were "severely disrupted" by Tropical Storm Helene to modify election procedures.

The local resolution established daily early voting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1, including weekends. Voting will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, the last day of early voting, but per state law the polls will close at 3 p.m. that day.

“We’ve got a new early voting plan,” said Buncombe Board of Elections Chair Jake Quinn. “Please everybody, spread the word.”

Buncombe County is in the initial stages assessing the status of its 80 election day polling places and contacting many poll workers.

Early voting requires fewer locations and poll workers, and the County Board of Elections’ changes approved on Oct. 8 are intended to maximize voter access. Voters can choose any early voting location that is convenient to them.

Approved locations

• Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
• East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
• Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
• Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview
• Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester
• South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
• UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville (new location)
• Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
• Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (in lieu of Board of Elections location)
• West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville

VOTER INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

• You must be registered to vote in order to vote
• Registration to vote deadline is October 11, and you can same-day register during early voting
• Election Day is November 5
• General questions answered at buncombecounty.org/vote or elections@buncombecounty.org or 828-250-4200
• Search voter status or find sample ballot at buncombecounty.org/vote or in-person at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville
• Voter ID required; get a free photo ID at Elections Office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville  
• Update: A voter can request an absentee ballot, or a near relative can do it on their behalf, in person at the county board of elections office up until 5 p.m. Nov. 4, the day before the election. (Usually voters fill out a form and the county must receive the application one week before the election and the county mails the ballot.)     

For more information, go to www.buncombecounty.org/vote.