10/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/11/2024 08:36
Note: The State Board of Elections is sending out this press release on behalf of the Buncombe County Board of Elections. We are grateful to the Buncombe County Board and staff for their continued hard work to serve voters during this disaster. The State Board has set up a special web page with information for voters in areas affected by Helene. Go to ncsbe.gov/Helene.
In response to Tropical Storm Helene, the Buncombe County Board of Elections approved new times and locations for early voting under authority of an emergency resolution by the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE).
On Oct. 7, the NCSBE authorized Buncombe and a dozen other counties that were "severely disrupted" by Tropical Storm Helene to modify election procedures.
The local resolution established daily early voting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1, including weekends. Voting will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 2, the last day of early voting, but per state law the polls will close at 3 p.m. that day.
"We've got a new early voting plan," said Buncombe Board of Elections Chair Jake Quinn. "Please everybody, spread the word."
Buncombe County is in the initial stages assessing the status of its 80 Election Day polling places and contacting many poll workers.
Early voting requires fewer locations and poll workers, and the County Board of Elections' changes approved on Oct. 8 are intended to maximize voter access. Voters can choose any early voting location that is convenient to them.
For more information, go to buncombecounty.org/Vote.