WNC — November 8, 2026: New leadership in Asheville, changes in mountain legislative districts and voter approval of three statewide constitutional amendments are bringing the local consequences of Tuesday’s election into focus.
Voters made decisions affecting housing, conservation, county government and taxation. While major outcomes have emerged, reported vote totals remain unofficial as election officials review outstanding ballots before certification.
Tax Amendments: What Voters Approved
North Carolina voters approved all three proposed constitutional amendments, addressing income taxes, property taxes and voter identification, according to reporting by WRAL and WUNC.
The Income-Tax Amendment lowers the constitutional maximum rate from 7% to 3.5% for both personal and corporate incomes, applying to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027. That is a ceiling on the rate lawmakers may impose, rather than a promise that every taxpayer’s bill will fall by a particular amount.
The Property-Tax Amendment requires the General Assembly to enact limits on increases in authorized property-tax levies and permits exceptions. It takes effect upon certification, but lawmakers must establish the specific limits. It does not immediately set a new property-tax rate for every city or county.
The oter-ID Amendment expands the constitution’s photo-identification requirement to all voting methods, rather than only in-person voting. It becomes effective upon certification. State law already requires identification for voting by mail, subject to exceptions.
For homeowners and local governments, the next major development will be the legislation implementing property-tax limits. Its details will determine how those restrictions operate.
Asheville Voters Choose New Leadership
Asheville voters elected Council member Kim Roney mayor, defeating incumbent Esther Manheimer.
Drew Ball, Maggie Ullman Berthiaume and S. Antanette Mosley won the three available City Council seats, according to published election results. The incoming leadership will face decisions on the city budget, housing, infrastructure and public services.
Buncombe Approves $70 Million in Bonds
Buncombe County confirms that voters approved a $30 million open-space bond and a $40 million housing bond.
The open-space funding supports conservation, farmland and scenic-landscape preservation, along with parks, greenways, trails and other outdoor recreation projects. The housing funding is intended to increase housing opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes.
The county estimates average annual costs of $18 for the open-space bond and $25 for the housing bond for its current median homeowner. Those are county estimates, not identical charges for every household.
Commissioners will approve bond issuances and funding allocations, with oversight and reporting requirements accompanying the investments.
Mountain Districts Help Change Raleigh’s Balance
Democrats are projected to regain the North Carolina House for the first time since 2010, while preliminary results point toward a narrowly Republican Senate. A close Senate contest leaves the final balance subject to further counting and possible recount proceedings.
Several mountain districts illustrate the changes:
House District 117: Democrat Lynne Russo finished ahead of Republican Chelsea Walsh, 22,710 votes to 21,180.
House District 119: Democrat Mark Burrows finished ahead of Republican Anna Ferguson, 19,523 votes to 17,726.
House District 118: Republican Jimmy Rogers is the apparent winner over Democrat Danny Davis, with reported districtwide totals of 19,525 to 18,920—a margin of 605 votes. ABC11’s published results show all expected votes reporting in these three contests, although the totals remain unofficial.
District 118 represents Haywood and Madison counties, according to the General Assembly’s district listing. Rogers’ result keeps the seat Republican following his primary defeat of incumbent Mark Pless.
The changing House majority and close Senate balance will shape negotiations over the state budget and legislation affecting mountain communities.
County voters take different paths
Haywood County’s commission will remain entirely Republican. Newcomers David Burnette and Jeff Stines, along with incumbent Tommy Long, won the three available seats, according to The Smoky Mountain News.
Republican Mark Mease also defeated Democrat Tyler Howell in the Haywood sheriff’s race, receiving approximately 54.6% of the vote.
In Jackson County, WRGC reported that Democrats won all three commission contests on the ballot, producing a 3–2 Democratic majority. Marcia Almond won the chair’s race, while Casey Walawender and Sean Bridgers won district seats.
Republican Kevin Corbin won another term in state Senate District 50.
Macon School-funding Question Remains Exceptionally Close
Macon County’s proposed quarter-cent sales-tax increase narrowly trailed in unofficial returns, with a reported nine-vote margin against it.
The Smoky Mountain News corrected an earlier report that had described the measure as passing. Its updated account reports the proposal failing by nine votes. EducationNC independently reported the same margin and identified schools as the planned recipient of the proceeds.
With such a small difference, the outcome remains particularly sensitive to eligible outstanding ballots and the canvass process.
Federal Changes Provide the Backdrop
Roy Cooper’s U.S. Senate victory and Jamie Ager’s win in the 11th Congressional District change North Carolina’s representation in Washington. Nationally, Democrats won control of both congressional chambers, setting up divided government with Republican President Donald Trump.
For Western North Carolina, the practical consequences will depend on the funding and policy decisions elected officials make after taking office.
What Happens Before Certification
The State Board of Elections says eligible provisional ballots and corrected absentee ballots will be considered during the canvass period. Qualifying military and overseas ballots can also arrive after Election Day.
County canvass meetings are scheduled for November 13, followed by the state canvass on November 24. Close contests may undergo recounts.
These results describe the election picture as of November 8. Vote totals remain unofficial until the appropriate election boards certify them.