This news item expired on Sunday, March 31, 2024 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Did you know that in 2024 we will be voting for a President, Governor of North Carolina, Buncombe County Commissioners, and many other federal, state, and local elected officials? Make sure your voice is heard and that you have all the information you need before going to the polls for the Primary Election on March 5. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know on the following topics:
- Registering to vote and updating your voter information
- Finding your sample ballot
- Finding Early Voting locations
- Three ways to vote:
- Early Voting
- Absentee-by-Mail
- Election Day Voting
- Resource links and contact information
For election updates and reminders via our mobile text notification system, text BCAlert to 99411, or sign up at buncombecounty.org/codered and select "Election Reminders."
Registering to vote
This year’s Primary Election is Tuesday, March 5. Registering to vote will make sure you help decide the elected officials who will create policies that affect your day-to-day life. The deadline to register to vote is Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. If you are registering to vote by mail, forms must be postmarked by Feb. 9 and received in the office by Feb. 14.
Note: You can register and vote with same-day registration during Early Voting, Feb. 15-March 2. You will need to provide an acceptable photo ID and proof of residence.
If you don’t know if you are registered to vote or whether your voter information is correct, you can find out through the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool. If you’re already registered, you can find your voting location, election jurisdictions, sample ballots, and other information there.
If you are not registered to vote, the qualifications to register in NC are:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a resident of North Carolina, Buncombe County, and your precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election.
- Not be in jail or prison or serving parole for a felony conviction. You may find information about that process here.
Meet all the qualifications? Congratulations! Download the online form to register and mail it to:
- Buncombe County Election Services
- P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802
Or stop by and register in person at our office:
- 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, NC 28801
Register to vote or update registration electronically at the NCDMV
The State Board of Elections and N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) launched a service to allow NCDMV customers to apply to register to vote or update existing voter registration information online.
This is a standalone service that does not require the user to complete an NCDMV transaction, such as a license renewal or duplicate, at the same time and at no cost to the voter.
Existing NCDMV customers with a North Carolina driver’s license or NCDMV-issued ID may apply to register to vote or update voter name, address, or political party affiliation through the NCDMV Voter Registration web page.
Find your sample ballot and voting location
You may vote at any Early Voting location from Feb. 15-March 2. To look up your sample ballot, along with your precinct, voting location, and other details, visit the State Board of Elections voter lookup tool.
3 ways to vote in NC
1. Early Voting
For the Primary Election, Early Voting will run Feb. 15-March 2, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, Saturday Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday, March 2, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. During the Early Voting period, you may choose to vote at any of the 11 locations below and can use same-day registration.
Locations:
- Black Mountain Library – 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain 28711
- East Asheville Library – 3 Avon Rd, Asheville 28805
- Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sand Hill Rd, Candler 28715
- Fairview Library – 1 Taylor Rd, Fairview 28730
- Friendship Community Center – 142 Shiloh Rd, Asheville 28803
- Leicester Community Center – 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester 28748
- Reynolds Village – 50 N. Merrimon Ave, Unit 109, Asheville 28804
- South Buncombe Library – 260 Overlook Rd, Asheville 28803
- Weaverville Community Center – 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville 28787
- Wesley Grant Southside Center (in lieu of BOE) – 285 Livingston St, Asheville 28801
- West Asheville Library – 942 Haywood Rd, Asheville 28806
Check out the wait map before you head out for Early Voting.
During scheduled Early Voting times, we offer a tool that tells you in real time, how many voters are in line at each location. The wait map will be available during Early Voting. Check it out here before you head out the door.
2. Absentee ballots by mail
You can request an absentee ballot now by completing an Absentee Ballot Request form. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form is Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Absentee ballots will be mailed out beginning Jan. 19. Please note, the deadline to return completed domestic absentee ballots is now 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which is March 5.
Any North Carolina registered voter may request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot by mail. No special circumstance or reason is needed. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:
Online - Request an Absentee Ballot at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.
On paper - print the online N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2024 currently available on our website. A Spanish Absentee Ballot request form is also available by clicking here. (This link is currently unavailable but will be updated once the State Board of Elections posts the form.)
If you don’t have a printer, you may complete an absentee ballot request form at the Election Services office at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, 28801, or call (828) 250-4200 and one will be mailed to you.
For active-duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad, click here. If you have questions about that process, you may call us at (828) 250-4200 or visit buncombecounty.org/vote.
You may return the request in one of the following ways:
Mail it to:
P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802
Hand deliver it to:
Our office at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, NC 28801
Note: The Absentee Ballot Request Form may not be emailed or faxed. Request forms that are hand delivered to the office must be returned only by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested your assistance returning their request due to disability.
Returning an Absentee Ballot:
The deadline to return the completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. However, voters are encouraged to return the ballot as early as possible. In addition, voters will now be required to provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID when they return their absentee ballot. Specific instructions provided on the return envelope. You may return your ballot to us in one of the following ways:
By mail: Absentee ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 7468 Asheville, NC 28802. Ballots must be received by March 5, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
At an Early Voting site: Absentee ballots may be returned to an Early Voting site during the Early Voting period, but not at a voting location on Election Day. Voters will be directed to the Early Voting Help Desk to return an absentee ballot.
In person: Absentee ballots may be returned in person to our office at 59 Woodfin Place, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Absentee ballots may only be returned by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested their assistance returning their ballot due to disability.
For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website.
3. Primary Election Day, Tuesday, March 5
On March 5, polls are open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the chance to vote.
Make sure you know your assigned voting location if you are casting a ballot on Election Day. Remember: during Early Voting you may vote at any of our 11 Early Voting sites, but on Election Day you must vote at your assigned location. If you need help finding your voting location, enter your name at the Voter Search Tool. And lastly, wait numbers will also be available on Election Day. Check it out before you head out the door.
What's new?
Voter ID: A new state law means new changes to how you vote. For 2024, you will be required to present photo identification when you go to the polls. Please review this information so that your ability to vote will not be affected. Below you will find information from the State Board of Elections on what IDs will be accepted, how to get a photo ID, how to vote without a photo ID, and more.
Quick links to useful information
Curbside voting
Curbside voting is available in North Carolina for those who are unable to go inside the voting location due to age or disability. Just pull up to the curbside voting sign, and an election official will come out and assist you. Curbside voting is available during Early Voting and on Election Day at all voting locations. Anyone voting curbside will also be asked to provide an acceptable photo ID.
ExpressVote: ExpressVote ballot marking machines will be in use at all Early Voting locations. Watch the voter experience video.
Helpful resources
Absentee Ballot Portal (N.C)
Absentee Ballot Request Form
Discover Buncombe Election and Property Information
Early Voting locations, times, and more
Election Services Website
Military and Overseas Voting Information
N.C. Board of Elections Website
Poll Worker Application
Register to Vote/Update Voter Information
Registering to Vote as a Person in the Criminal Justice System
Voter Search Tool
Voter Registration Application
Questions?
Email elections@buncombecounty.org
Call (828) 250-4200