This news item expired on Friday, November 15, 2024 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Update Oct. 11, 2024
In response to Tropical Storm Helene, the North Carolina State Board of Elections authorized Buncombe County and a dozen other "severely disrupted" counties to modify election procedures. The state General Assembly made further modifications. We're tracking changes below. Please check back for updates.
The 2024 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Do you know if you are registered to vote or what voter ID is required? Read on for everything you need to know, from registering to vote, finding your precinct, how to view your sample ballot, and more.
Important dates and deadlines
Here are voter dates and deadlines for the 2024 General Election in North Carolina:?
- Oct. 11, 2024: Voter Registration Deadline (5 p.m.)
- Oct. 17, 2024: In-person Early Voting begins (same-day registration available)
- Oct 29, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.). Note that the emergency resolution allows voters to request and receive an absentee ballot in person at their county board of elections office until Nov. 4
- Nov. 2, 2024: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.)
- Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day (6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.)
- Nov. 5 , 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.)
Find your sample ballot and voting location
To look up your sample ballot, along with your precinct (note Election Day precinct locations for Buncombe County have not been confirmed at this time), voting location, and other details, visit the State Board of Elections voter lookup tool or click the Voter Information button at buncombecounty.org/vote.
3 ways to vote in NC
1. Early Voting
Early Voting is available Oct. 17-Nov. 2. Hours for Oct. 17-Nov. 1 are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Voters may vote at any one of 10 locations throughout Buncombe County.
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 Oct., 29 at 5 p.m. Please note, the deadline to return completed domestic absentee ballots is now 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 5.
Updated information about absentee ballots: the emergency state resolution and modifying state legislation for Tropical Storm Helene do the following:
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Allow voters to request and receive an absentee ballot in person at their county board of elections office until Nov. 4 — the day before the election. As always, the voter or voter’s near relative or legal guardian is required to complete an absentee request form with the required personal information for the voter, and that information must be verified by the county board as with any absentee request.
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Allow voters or their near relatives or legal guardians to hand-deliver completed absentee ballots to any county board of elections office in North Carolina (the Buncombe County elections office is at 59 Woodfin Place in Asheville) or to the State Board of Elections office, as long as the ballot is received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. The county or State Board would then ensure those ballots are delivered to each voter’s county board of elections by Nov. 14 — the day before county canvass — to be counted. A log and chain of custody will be maintained to secure these ballots.
Any North Carolina registered voter who is eligible for the election 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.
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.
Returning an Absentee Ballot:
The deadline to return the completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 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 are provided in 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 Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
At any Early Voting site: Absentee ballots may be returned to an Early Voting site during the Early Voting period. 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, 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. Track the status of your mail-in ballot, from start to finish at https://northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter/.
3. General Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5
On Nov. 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 opportunity to vote.
Make sure you know your assigned voting location if you are casting a ballot on Election Day. Remember: During Early Voting, anyone can vote at any Early Voting location, 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.
Note: If you lost your photo ID due to Tropical Storm Helene, you have options:
- Fill out a Photo ID Exception Form at your voting site or send the form back with your absentee ballot. (A blank Exception Form will arrive with your absentee packet.) Check the box for “Exception 3: Victim of a Natural Disaster.” Make sure to sign the form.
- Go to your county board of elections office. If you are a registered voter, they can take your photo and print an acceptable ID on the spot. For details, go to Get a Free Voter Photo ID.
- Get a free ID from an NCDMV office in your area. For details, see State IDs | NCDMV.
For details about North Carolina’s photo ID requirement, including a list of all acceptable IDs, go to BringItNC.gov.
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