Need to Know Voting 2024 General Election in Buncombe County

Buncombe County -- August 15, 2024: Buncombe County Government News: The 2024 General Election is Tuesday,

Nov. 5. Do you know if you are registered to vote or what voter ID is required? Read on for everything you need to know, from registering to vote, finding your precinct, how to view your sample ballot, and more.

Important dates and deadlines
Here are voter dates and deadlines for the 2024 General Election in North Carolina:

Aug. 15, 2024: Poll worker information session
Sept. 6, 2024: Absentee ballots in the mail
Sept. 17, 2024: National Voter Registration Day
Oct. 11, 2024: Voter Registration Deadline (5 p.m.)
Oct. 17, 2024: In-person Early Voting begins (same-day registration available)
Oct 29, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.)
Nov. 2, 2024: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.)
Nov. 5, 2024: Election Day (6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 5 , 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.)
Find your sample ballot and voting location
To look up your sample ballot, along with your precinct, voting location, and other details, visit the State Board of Elections voter lookup tool or click the Voter Information button at buncombecounty.org/vote.

3 ways to vote in NC

1. Early Voting                                                                                 

Early Voting is available  Oct. 17-Nov. 2, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours on Oct. 19, 26, and 27 are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Voters may vote at any one of 14 locations throughout Buncombe County. During Early Voting be sure to check the wait map to see how many people are in line at a location near you.  

2. Absentee ballots by mail

You can request an absentee ballot now by completing an Absentee Ballot Request form. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form is Oct, 29 at 5 p.m. Absentee ballots will be mailed out beginning Sept. 6. Please note, the deadline to return completed domestic absentee ballots is now 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 5.

Any North Carolina registered voter who is eligible for the election may request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot by mail. No special circumstance or reason is needed. Registered voters in North Carolina must request an absentee ballot with an official N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form. There are two ways to access and submit the form:

Online - Request an Absentee Ballot at the N.C. Absentee Ballot Portal.
On paper - print the online N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2024 currently available on our website. A Spanish Absentee Ballot request form is also available by clicking here.

If you don’t have a printer, you may complete an absentee ballot request form at the Election Services office at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, 28801, or call (828) 250-4200 and one will be mailed to you.

For active-duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad, click here. If you have questions about that process, you may call us at (828) 250-4200 or visit buncombecounty.org/vote.

You may return the request in one of the following ways:

Mail it to:
P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802

Hand deliver it to:
Our office at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Note: The Absentee Ballot Request Form may not be emailed or faxed. Request forms that are hand delivered to the office must be returned only by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested your assistance returning their request due to disability.

Returning an Absentee Ballot:
The deadline to return the completed absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. However, voters are encouraged to return the ballot as early as possible. In addition, voters will now be required to provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID when they return their absentee ballot. Specific instructions are provided in the return envelope. You may return your ballot to us in one of the following ways:

By mail: Absentee ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 7468 Asheville, NC 28802. Ballots must be received by Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

At any Early Voting site: Absentee ballots may be returned to an Early Voting site during the Early Voting period, but not at a voting location on Election Day. Voters will be directed to the Early Voting Help Desk to return an absentee ballot.

In person: Absentee ballots may be returned in person to our office at 59 Woodfin Place, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Absentee ballots may only be returned by the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian or, if you are not the voter or the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, the voter requested their assistance returning their ballot due to disability.

For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website. Track the status of your mail-in ballot, from start to finish at https://northcarolina.ballottrax.net/voter/.

3. General Election Day, Tuesday, May 14

On Nov. 5, polls are open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the opportunity to vote.

Make sure you know your assigned voting location if you are casting a ballot on Election Day. Remember: During Early Voting, anyone can vote at any Early Voting location, but on Election Day you must vote at your assigned location. If you need help finding your voting location, enter your name at the Voter Search Tool. And lastly, wait numbers will also be available on Election Day. Check it out before you head out the door.

What's new?
Voter ID: A new state law means new changes to how you vote. For 2024, you will be required to present photo identification when you go to the polls. Please review this information so that your ability to vote will not be affected. Below you will find information from the State Board of Elections on what IDs will be accepted, how to get a photo ID, how to vote without a photo ID, and more.

Curbside voting is available in North Carolina for those who are unable to go inside the voting location due to age or disability. Just pull up to the curbside voting sign, and an election official will come out and assist you. Curbside voting is available during Early Voting and on Election Day at all voting locations. Anyone voting curbside will also be asked to provide an acceptable photo ID. 

ExpressVote: ExpressVote ballot marking machines will be in use at all Early Voting locations.