ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Early voting for the midterm ballot opened Thursday across Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County, with 13 centers taking ballots through Saturday, Oct. 31, ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.
County election officials say any registered voter may use whichever Buncombe early site is convenient, not just their Election Day precinct. People who still need to register can also sign up and vote in the same visit at those centers.
Weekday hours run 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Weekend hours shift: Oct. 24-25 sites open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the final Saturday, Oct. 31, runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Officials urge voters to check the county wait map before leaving home.
The list of early centers includes libraries from East Asheville to West Asheville, community centers in Weaverville and Leicester, the Friendship Center in Shiloh, and a new Upper Hominy fire station option on Pisgah Highway in Candler. Wesley Grant Southside Center replaces the board of elections office as a voting site.
Buncombe ballots cover U.S. Senate and House races, including the District 11 seat that will succeed Chuck Edwards, plus state courts, the General Assembly, district attorney, sheriff, county commissioners and school boards for Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools. Asheville also elects a mayor and city council; Black Mountain fills mayor and council seats as well.
Three North Carolina constitutional amendments appear on every ballot style. Election Services Director Corinne Duncan reminded voters that Buncombe uses 32 different ballot styles based on address, so neighbors should confirm their own sample before voting.
Helene recovery and flood mitigation remain top issues for western North Carolina voters heading into the two-week early window, alongside the local races that will set county and city leadership for the next term.
Section: More Asheville NC politics news
