ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County Elections Director Corinne Duncan is here to assure you that the election will go according to plan.
It seems like Buncombe County must grapple with a national disaster every election cycle. Between Covid in 2020 and Hurricane Helene in 2024, county election officials have been challenged by a lot. Nonetheless, Duncan is confident they will manage this upcoming election with ease.
“We’ve been organizing to make sure this community has a voice in the people that represent us both in good times and in tragedy,” Duncan said in a storm update city and county officials held this morning, Monday, Oct. 7. “We’re working with our emergency team and the State Board of Elections to strategize and modify plans.”
As it stands, Duncan said early voting will begin next week on Oct. 17.
Absentee ballots are being taken now and will begin to be processed beginning at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 59 Woodfin Place. The occasion will coincide with a public board meeting with a discussion of early voting modifications.
Duncan said that every absentee ballot that has been requested has been mailed out, but she anticipated that the demand for the remote voting method would increase this year. Ballots can be submitted by mail, at the Buncombe County Election Services office, or at any early voting location.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you are unregistered to vote, the deadline is this Friday, Oct. 11.
Buncombe County Election Services was spared by Hurricane Helene, with all of its staff and its office still standing. Presently, the building has power but no water and only spotty cell service, but Duncan encouraged people to call. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While the Election Services office may have been unharmed by Helene, that is not necessarily the case for all of Buncombe County’s polling locations.
“We are assessing what voting locations are available and working to make contact with our poll workers to train them,” Duncan said. “Poll workers, if you’re hearing this, training is still happening and we still need you.”
Duncan was strong in her conviction to the very end of her speech.
“We must respect the gravity of our situation. Basic needs come first. Recovery is ongoing, and we’ll have to be flexible, adapt and work together,” Duncan said. “But Buncombe County will have the opportunity to securely vote this election.”
Register to vote online here.
Buncombe County Election Services can be reached at (828) 250-4200 or in-person at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, N.C. 28801.