ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When Buncombe County voters head to the polls Nov. 3, they’ll be voting on more than candidates.

The general election ballot includes five questions for voters to decide — three proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution and two Buncombe County bond referendums.

Here’s what’s on the ballot and what each vote would do.

Photo ID amendment

FOR or AGAINST

“Constitutional amendment to require all voters, not just those presenting to vote in person, to present photo identification before voting.”

A FOR vote would add a photo-identification requirement to the state Constitution for all voters, including those who do not vote in person.

North Carolina’s Constitution currently requires voters casting ballots in person to present photographic identification.

3.5% income-tax amendment

FOR or AGAINST

“Constitutional amendment to keep the State income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).”

A FOR vote would amend the state Constitution to cap the state’s income-tax rate at 3.5%.

Under current law, the state income-tax rate is 3.99% in 2026 and is expected to fall to 3.49% in 2027 and 2.99% in 2028 if revenue triggers are met. The amendment would put a 3.5% maximum rate in the state Constitution.

Property-tax levy limit amendment

FOR or AGAINST

“Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”

A FOR vote would amend the state Constitution to require limits on increases in local-government property taxes.

The amendment does not establish a specific percentage or dollar limit. Instead, it would require the General Assembly to establish limits through state law.

$30 million open-space bonds

Buncombe County voters also will decide whether the county can borrow $30 million for open-space and conservation projects.

YES or NO

“Shall the order authorizing $30 million of bonds plus interest to provide funds to fund the acquisition and improvement of land or interests therein for conservation purposes, including the protection of natural resources and preservation of farms and scenic landscapes, and the development of parks, greenways, trails, and other outdoor recreational opportunities … be approved?”

A YES vote would authorize the county to issue the $30 million in bonds, plus interest.

The county estimates the total cost over the life of the bonds at about $47.6 million, including about $17.6 million in interest. The estimated annual property-tax impact is $4.10 for every $100,000 of property value.

The money could be used to acquire and improve land for conservation, protect natural resources, preserve farms and scenic landscapes and develop parks, greenways, trails and other outdoor recreation.

These are new 2026 bond requests, although the county is seeking the same $30 million amount that voters approved for open-space purposes in 2022.

$40 million housing bonds

The second county referendum asks voters to approve $40 million in new housing bonds.

YES or NO

“Shall the order authorizing $40 million of bonds plus interest to provide funds to pay the capital costs of housing for the benefit of persons of low or moderate income including construction of related infrastructure improvements and acquisition of related land and rights-of-way … be approved?”

A YES vote would authorize the county to issue the $40 million in bonds, plus interest.

The county estimates the total cost over the life of the bonds at about $63.5 million, including approximately $23.5 million in interest. The estimated annual property-tax impact is $5.50 for every $100,000 of property value.

The bonds would fund capital costs associated with housing for people with low or moderate incomes, along with related infrastructure and land acquisition.

Like the open-space proposal, this is a new 2026 bond request. The county is again seeking $40 million for housing, the same amount voters approved for housing bonds in 2022.

Five questions on the ballot

So, in addition to the candidates on their individual ballots, Buncombe County voters will see:

  • Photo ID constitutional amendment: FOR or AGAINST
  • 3.5% income-tax constitutional amendment: FOR or AGAINST
  • Local property-tax levy limit constitutional amendment: FOR or AGAINST
  • $30 million open-space bonds: YES or NO
  • $40 million housing bonds: YES or NO

The exact candidates and local contests on a voter’s ballot can vary depending on where that voter lives within Buncombe County.