Voting is Happening in Buncombe County: Services Director Statement

Buncombe County -- October 8, 2024: Press Release Buncombe County Government: Buncombe County Election

Services Director Corinne Duncan is reassuring our community that Buncombe County will vote. All staff and board members are accounted for and despite personal hardship, the Election Services team has been organizing to make sure this community has a voice in choosing the people that represent us both in good times and in tragedy.

Election Services is now open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to assist you. There is power but no water. Early voting will begin next week on Oct. 17. Absentee-by-mail is happening now and Election Day will take place on Nov. 5.

Staff is currently assessing the facilities and poll workers available for both early voting and Election Day, early voting being the current priority. Our office and equipment were spared. We are working with our emergency team and the State Board of Elections to strategize and modify plans. The State Board of Elections met today to discuss emergency measures to support the needs of affected counties and a resolution was issued outlining available operating procedures.

The local board of elections will hold a public meeting tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., to begin processing absentee ballots and discuss modifications to our early voting plan.

That meeting will be held at 59 Woodfin Place in Asheville. Our phone system is spotty but improving so call us at 828-250-4200 if you can. If you are able to access the internet you can find information on our website at buncombecounty.org/vote including registration forms and the online absentee by mail request portal. You can also email your questions to elections@buncombecounty.org.

An important note: the information on our website about early voting and Election Day will be updated as soon as we are able to solidify plans. We are assessing what voting locations are available and working to make contact with our poll workers to train them.

Poll workers: if you’re reading this, training is still happening and we still need you. We are working to find ways to contact you. If you can contact us, please do so.  If you’re available and you were already signed up for training, please show up.

Absentee by-mail is available now. We anticipate an increase in this method of voting and are increasing our capacity to meet that demand. All ballots that have been requested so far have been mailed out. Absentee voting is available to any North Carolinian. To request one use the online portal or a paper form(available on our website) and do so by Oct. 29. You can return your ballot by mail, in person at our office or at any early voting location. The deadline to return your ballot is Election Day Nov. 5 by 7:30 p.m. If you have already requested a ballot and need to change the mailing address due to evacuation, contact us.

In order to vote you need to be registered. The registration deadline is this Friday, Oct. 11.

You can get the form online or by visiting the office. The same applies to checking your status or finding your sample ballot, you can do so by using the NC Voter search tool online or by coming to see us. If you need a photo ID for voting you can also get that for free at our office.

We must respect the gravity of our situation. Basic needs come first, recovery is ongoing and we will have to be flexible, adapt, and work together but Buncombe County will have the opportunity to securely vote in this election.