Notice of Primary Election

Buncombe County, North Carolina

A primary election will be held on March 15, 2016 in Buncombe County to vote on the candidates for the offices of:

US PRESIDENT, (Republican, Democrat and Libertarian), US SENATE (Republican and Democrat), US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 10 (R) AND DISTRICT 11 (D), NC GOVERNOR (R AND D), NC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (D), NC ATTORNEY GENERAL (R AND D), NC COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE (R), NC COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE (R), NC COMMISSIONER OF LABOR (D), NC SECRETARY OF STATE (R), NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION (R AND D), NC TREASURER (D) NC SENATE DISTRICT 48 (R), NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 115 (R), BUNCOMBE COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR (R), BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 1 (D), BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 2 (R AND D),  REFERENDUM NC PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS. 

Most voters will be asked to present acceptable photo identification when presenting to vote in person at the polls, with exceptions for voters who are unable to obtain acceptable photo identification, have a religious objection to being photographed, or are victims of a natural disaster.  The acceptable forms of photo identification are a NC Driver’s License or DMV-issued Identification Card (expired up to four years), US Passport or Passport Card (unexpired), Military ID Card or Veterans Affairs ID Card (unexpired, if there is an expiration date), and certain Tribal Enrollment Cards.  VOTERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ONE OF THESE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION MAY STILL VOTE IF THEIR INABILITY IS DUE TO A REASONABLE IMPEDIMENT such as a lost or stolen ID, lack of transportation, illness or disability, a lack of proper documents, work schedule, and others.   These voters may vote a provisional ballot after completing a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and providing an alternate form of identification or the last four digits of their social security number and their date of birth.  Acceptable alternate forms of identification for voters who complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration include their voter registration card or a current utility bill, paycheck, government check, bank statement, or other government document bearing the voter’s name and current address.  Alternative voting options are available for voters who do not present acceptable photo identification for a reason other than a reasonable impediment to obtaining one. Voters who use curbside voting may also present one of the alternative forms of identification described above.  No identification is required to vote an absentee ballot by mail.  Free Identification Cards for registered voters are available from the NC DMV.  For assistance with obtaining acceptable photo identification for voting or for more information on exceptions and alternative voting options, contact the NC State Board of Elections voter outreach team toll-free at 1-866-522-4723 or visit www.VoterID.nc.gov.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.  One-stop early voting will be held at:

the Buncombe County Administration Building at 200 College Street in downtown Asheville March 3 -- March 5 and on March 7 through 11 at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m.

One-stop early voting will be held at the Black Mountain Branch Library, South Buncombe Branch Library, Leicester Branch Library, West Asheville Branch Library, Fairview Branch Library, New Hope Presbyterian Church, North Asheville Branch Library, Weaverville Town Hall, Asheville Outlet Mall and Asheville Mall beginning March 3rd thru March 5, then March 7 through 11 at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m.

All one-stop early voting sites will be open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12.

Canvass will take place on March 22 at 11:00 a.m. at the Board of Elections office, 77 McDowell Street. 

Absentee ballots are allowed.  Requests for an absentee ballot must be made on a State Board of Elections Absentee Request Form, available at the County Board of Elections office and at all one-stop early voting sites, and received in the Buncombe Board of Elections office or any one-stop early voting site by 5:00 p.m. on March 8th.  Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the Buncombe Board of Elections by 5:00 p.m. on March 15th or postmarked on March 15th.     

All residents of Buncombe County who are registered to vote with the Buncombe Board of Elections may vote in this election.  Voters who are previously registered need not re-register for this election.  THOSE VOTERS WHO ARE REGISTERED UNAFFILIATED MAY VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.  Unaffiliated voters will be given a choice of ballot at the polling places.  Those residents of Buncombe who are not registered to vote must register on or before Friday, February 19th, 2016 in order to be eligible to vote on Election Day.  Those voters who are not registered by Friday, February 19th may register and vote during one stop early voting only, and will be required to provide documentation of their identity and residence.  Voters who wish to change their party affiliation or who have changed their name or address must notify the Board of Elections in writing by February 19th.  Voters who fail to notify the Board of Elections of a change to their name or address must update their information when presenting to vote, and may be required to vote a provisional ballot.   

Voters who require assistance with casting their ballot are entitled to assistance by an appropriate person of their choice or an election official.  Registration facilities and polling places are accessible to the elderly and handicapped.  Curbside voting is available for voters who are not physically able to enter the polling place.

Persons with questions about registration, location of polling places, absentee ballots, early voting at One-Stop locations or other election matters may call the Buncombe Board of Elections Office at 828 250-4200 Monday thru Friday.

Buncombe County Board of Elections