Early voting surge anticipated in Buncombe County’s final week before Election Day

FEB. 27, 2024 – Buncombe County election officials say more than 12,000 have already cast ballots during early voting.
(Photo credit: WLOS staff)

By Taylor Thompson, Tuesday, February 27, 2024

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — With only one week left until Election Day, early voting is underway in Buncombe County, and thousands have already cast ballots.

Early voting ends Saturday, March 2.

As usual in the second week of early voting for primaries, there’s starting to be an uptick in voter turnout, Buncombe County Election Services Director Corinne Duncan said.

So far, election officials have seen more than 12,000 early voters and Duncan expects that number to at least double.

Voters may go to any early polling, but, if your goal is to avoid the lines, Duncan suggested going before Friday or Saturday. And remember to take a photo ID or be prepared to fill out an exception form.

Duncan said those without a photo ID may stop by the election office and pick up one for free.

Early voting locations are open 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. until Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

“You can visit any of the 11 voting locations and see the wait times and how many people are in line on our website,” she said.

Right now, early voting numbers are similar to 2022 numbers, Duncan said.

“Primaries are pretty interesting. They start out with very low turnout and then they turn up, and we’re already seeing that. So, we should see a drastic increase in turnout this week,” she said.

The deadline to receive an absentee by mail ballot has now passed.

If you already have your ballot, election officials are working on a tight deadline and the sooner you can send it in the better, Duncan said.

“You really need to get that in the mail or drop it off at an early voting location or at our office at 59 Woodfin Place,” she said.

On Election Day, polls will be open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

If you choose to vote on Election Day, you will have to go to your assigned polling location, Duncan said. If you aren’t sure where your polling location is, it can be found on your voter registration card, the Buncombe County Election Services website or by calling the elections office (828-250-4200).

“Election Day can be busy, but as long as you’re in line by 7:30 p.m. you’ll be able to vote,” Duncan said.

As a reminder, Duncan said election night results are preliminary.

“We’ll start by posting absentee by mail results first, then we’ll do the early voting numbers and finally the results from each of the election day voting locations will appear in batches as we receive them,” she said.

Duncan estimated that all results should be in about 9:30-10 p.m. on election night.

After election night, election workers still have to process the absentee-by-mail ballots received on Election Day, as well as perform auditing duties.

“Once all this is complete, our board comes together on March 15 to publicly certify the election and submit the official results,” she said.

That’s when Duncan said it would officially known which candidates would move on to the general election in November.

Duncan also had three reminders to voters:

• If you missed the registration deadline, you can still same-day register during early voting. She said you will need to bring proof of residence such as a bank statement or a utility bill.
• Those who are registered as unaffiliated may vote in the primary.
• If you’re 17 years old, this could be your first chance to vote.

“If you’ll be turning 18 before the general election that’s Nov. 5, 2024, you are eligible to vote in the primary,” Duncan said.

Duncan said it’s important for people to vote in the primary because it is a chance to choose who will be going on to the general election along with those holding local offices.

“A lot of people who have fought very hard for the right to vote and lost their lives for the right to vote, so vote in honor of them,” she said.

Read the WLOS news story here.