ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County voters who want to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election are running out of time to request a ballot.
Most registered North Carolina voters have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, to request an absentee ballot. Different deadlines apply to eligible military and overseas voters.
The deadline comes as early voting is already drawing thousands of voters to the polls. More than 18,000 people cast ballots during the first three days of early voting in Buncombe County.
According to Buncombe County Election Services, more than 6,000 absentee ballots have been requested, and more than 1,800 have been returned, including 17 from active-duty military voters.
Any registered voter in North Carolina can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
Voters can request a ballot online through the North Carolina State Board of Elections or complete a paper request form available through Buncombe County Election Services.
Voters can mail paper forms to the county elections office or deliver them in person to 35 Woodfin St. in Asheville. They must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday and cannot be submitted by email or fax.
Hand-delivered requests generally must be returned by the voter, a near relative or legal guardian. Exceptions are available for voters who need assistance because of a disability.
Don’t wait to return your ballot
For voters who already have their absentee ballots, election officials have another message: Don’t wait until the last minute to send them back.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, which is Election Day. Ballots arriving after that deadline cannot be counted, even if they were postmarked before Election Day.
“We can’t encourage this enough — if you vote absentee by mail, please return the ballot as early as possible,” Buncombe County Elections Director Corinne Duncan said. “We want every vote to be included, but if we get a ballot after that deadline, we can’t include it in our results.”
Duncan said election officials regularly see mistakes that can cause problems with mail-in ballots, including missing voter or witness signatures, failing to include a copy of a photo ID, forgetting to seal the inner envelope and not using enough postage.
North Carolina requires absentee voters to complete their ballots in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public. The witnesses must sign the ballot envelope and provide their addresses.
Voters also must include a photocopy of an acceptable photo ID or complete the state’s Photo ID Exception Form if they qualify.
Mailing a completed ballot requires $1.98 in postage, which can be covered by three Forever stamps, Duncan said.
Where to return your ballot
Voters can return completed absentee ballots by mail to Buncombe County Election Services, P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802.
Ballots can also be dropped off at any of the county’s 13 early voting locations during voting hours through Oct. 31 or delivered to the Election Services office at 35 Woodfin St. in Asheville. Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Anyone returning an absentee ballot at an early voting site must go inside, check in with an election official and hand over the ballot. Voters may have to wait in line.
Only the voter, a near relative or legal guardian generally may return a completed absentee ballot. Exceptions apply when a voter needs assistance because of a disability.
Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at Election Day polling places on Nov. 3.
Voters can check the status of their ballots through the state’s BallotTrax tracking system.
Early voting draws more than 18,000 voters
Early voting is underway at 13 locations across Buncombe County.
According to county election figures, 18,294 people cast ballots during the first three days of early voting, Oct. 15-17. That’s about 8.3% of the county’s registered voters.
Friday, Oct. 16, had the highest turnout during that period, with 7,629 ballots cast, compared with 7,084 on opening day and 3,581 on Saturday.
The South Buncombe Branch Library recorded the highest turnout through Saturday, with 2,333 voters, followed by the Weaverville Community Center with 2,268 and East Asheville Branch Library with 2,019.
Early voting continues through Saturday, Oct. 31. Voters can cast their ballots at any early voting site, regardless of where they live in Buncombe County.
Early voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays. Weekend voting is available Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the final day, Oct. 31.
People who missed the Oct. 9 voter registration deadline can still register and vote at the same time during early voting. They must provide the required documentation, including proof of residence.
Voters also must show an acceptable photo ID or follow the state’s ID exception process.
The county offers an online wait-time map so voters can check lines at early voting locations before heading out.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, when polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters casting ballots that day must go to their assigned polling places.
For more information about absentee voting, early voting locations or ballot requirements, visit buncombenc.gov/vote or call Buncombe County Election Services at 828-250-4200.