How to Vote in the Upcoming Asheville Election
UPDATE: Early voting has begun. Buncombe County residents can vote at any polling place on the map found here. Early voting is open every day through Nov. 2.
We’re all still reeling from Hurricane Helene, and many of our members have scattered to other locales outside of WNC.
Still, we have an important election coming up, where housing abundance is on the ballot from the top of the ticket to the bottom.
And so we wanted to share some information about the different ways you can vote.
Absentee Voting
If you’re evacuated from Western North Carolina, you can request a mail-in ballot here. If you don’t expect to return home anytime soon, do this today! Note that you need to be a registered voter already.
If you do end up leaving your temporary location and returning to WNC before the mail gets to you, you can still vote in person; you do not have to account for the mailed-out ballot. (You can find the source for this bit of info and other FAQs here.)
Do note that because of North Carolina’s new photo ID requirements, you will need to send in a photocopy of your ID with your ballot.
Early Voting
If you are in town, please consider early voting instead of waiting until Election Day.
Early voting will begin on Thursday, and just as in past elections, you do not need to attend a voting location in your voting precinct during the early voting period. Any location in the county will do.
You can find the list of locations here. Polling places will be open from 9am to 5pm from Thursday through Friday, November 1st, including weekends, and also 9am to 3pm on Saturday, November 2nd.
If you have not registered to vote, Early Voting is your best bet, as you are allowed to register and vote simultaneously during this period only.
Please remember to bring a photo ID.