Board of Elections Approves 2024 Primary Election Early Voting Plan

After deliberation and hearing feedback from the public on the 2024 primary election Early Voting Plan, Buncombe County Board of Elections voted to approve the plan. A public input survey on the plan received more than 2,000 views with 1,900 responses and over 800 comments, with 93 percent of participants approving the plan with minor changes.

As a result of public responses, Deputy Elections Director Neggy Fox proposed to use the Shiloh Friendship Center as a site to take some of the overflow from South Buncombe Library. At the Sept. 12 Board meeting, Judy Williamson read a statement from the residents of the Shiloh community in which the residents expressed strong support for using the Friendship Center as an Early Voting site.

The approved Early Voting plan is attached below. 

The following questions were the top questions asked by participants.

1. Why can’t weekday hours start before 8 a.m. or go past 7:30 p.m.?

The current weekday hours of operations (8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.) are statutory and our Board has no authority to change these hours. (NCGS §163-227.6)

2. Can we extend weekend hours?

The proposed weekend hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. were chosen based on previous election turnout data. These hours were determined to be the peak hours that most voters come to vote on the weekends. These hours will also allow poll workers to rotate days so that they can have a day off over the 17-day period that they are required to work.

3. Why no Sunday hours on Feb. 18, 2024?

Our poll workers need a day off. The first Sunday during Early Voting has historically been our lowest turnout day.

4. Why do we need Early Voting?

It’s the law. Early Voting is statutorily required to be offered during every election in North Carolina. The popularity of Early Voting has grown not just in Buncombe County but nationally. About half of voters in Buncombe County vote early for convenience.

5. Public transportation at voting sites?

Most of our Early Voting sites (i.e. libraries and community centers) are located on the public transit route for voters to take advantage of.

6. Will there not be an Early Voting location close to downtown?

Downtown locations tend to have lower turnout. The closest Early Voting site to the downtown area is the Wesley Grant Southside Community Center at 285 Livingston St., Asheville 28801. It’s just over two miles from downtown, is on the bus route, has been used over the last several years, and recently underwent a recreation phase expansion.

The Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 7 – here’s what you need to know

Any registered voter who resides in the Town of Weaverville, Town of Woodfin, or the Woodfin Water & Sewer District may vote in this election. Races will include Town of Woodfin Mayor, Woodfin Town Council, Buncombe-Woodfin Sanitary Water & Sewer District Trustee, and Weaverville Town Council. Only residents within the town limits of Weaverville, Woodfin, and/or Woodfin Water & Sewer District are eligible to vote.

Absentee by mail

Voters may request absentee ballots any time through Oct. 31. Requested absentee ballots started going out in the mail on Friday, Oct. 6 and must be returned by Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 5 p.m. in person or Nov. 13 by mail (postmarked by Nov. 7). Request an absentee ballot at www.buncombecounty.org/vote. With the new Voter ID legislation, if you vote by mail, then you must include a photocopy of a valid photo ID when returning your ballot. You may also complete the Absentee Photo ID Exception Form that is provided with your absentee ballot materials.

Voter Registration

Same-day registration is available at in-person early voting locations.

Early Voting

Early Voting runs Oct. 19-Nov. 3 at Election Services (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and on Nov. 4 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.). Early Voting will also be available Saturday, Nov. 4 at Weaverville Community Center (8 a.m.-3 p.m.).

Voter ID

Voters will now be asked to present a valid photo identification when voting in person. If you do not have a valid photo ID card, you may obtain one from your county board of elections prior to the election, through the end of the early voting period.

If you do not have a valid photo ID card on Election Day, you may still vote and have your vote counted by signing an affidavit of reasonable impediment (or "Photo ID Exception Form") as to why you have not presented a valid photo ID. The Exception Form can also be used if you have a religious objection to being photographed or are a victim of a recently declared natural disaster.

As an alternative, if you don’t have your ID when you vote, you can still vote with a Provisional Ballot and then bring your valid photo ID to your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on the ninth day after Election Day.

If you vote by mail, then you must include a photocopy of a valid photo ID when returning your ballot. You may also complete the Absentee Photo ID Exception Form that is provided with your absentee ballot materials.

A list of all types of ID that can be used for voting is available on the State Board of Elections Voter ID webpage. For information on how to get a free ID, see Get a Free Voter Photo ID. Free voter IDs can also be obtained at the Buncombe County Elections Services office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville.

For more information about voting in Buncombe County, go to www.buncombecounty.org/vote.