Board of Elections Regular Meeting

Board of Elections Meeting Recap: August 19, 2025

On August 19, 2025, the Board of Elections held a regular meeting focused on preparing for upcoming elections and addressing administrative matters. The meeting, attended by board members Peggy (celebrated with a birthday song!), and Devin Whitney (filling in for the vacationing Elections Administrator Corrine Duncan), covered a range of topics impacting voter registration and election processes. This recap outlines key decisions, discussions, and next steps for residents to stay informed.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to election administration updates. The Board acknowledged and approved a plan to combine two smaller precincts (28.1 and 41.1) into larger ones for the upcoming municipal election, a move designed to improve efficiency and reduce staffing needs at those locations. Furthermore, the Board is actively working on improving voter registration accuracy through a “registration repair” project. While they've made substantial progress, reducing the backlog from 2,100 to around 1,400 records, ongoing efforts are underway to address the remaining flagged registrations. Looking ahead to 2026, the Board presented a detailed proposal for early voting plans, including weekday hours from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and weekend hours (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Crucially, residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey starting August 20th, providing valuable input on these plans before a final vote is scheduled for October 14th. The Board also reaffirmed its policy to follow county emergency management directives during inclement weather, ensuring consistent procedures for early voting sites.

Beyond election preparations, the Board addressed a critical matter: selecting legal counsel to handle upcoming election-related matters. After reviewing proposals from three firms – Tharrington Smith LLP, Allen Stahl and Kilburn, and T. Campbell – the Board decided to invite representatives from each firm for brief interviews during a closed session at their next meeting on September 4th. This will allow the Board to gather more information and make an informed decision regarding legal representation. Finally, the Board reviewed ten voter challenges related to deceased voters and confirmed their validity, scheduling a formal hearing on September 4th.

While the agenda for the Burke County Board of Elections meeting was less detailed in the provided documentation, it indicated a focus on routine board business, including reviewing outcomes from the Poll Worker Summer Conference and discussing future voting equipment upgrades. Citizens interested in learning more about these discussions should access the full agenda document at https://www.burkenc.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1222?fileID=5389.

What’s Next for Residents:

• Participate in the Early Voting Survey: Your voice matters! Share your preferences for early voting hours and locations by participating in the online survey starting August 20th.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for updates on the selection of legal counsel and decisions related to voting equipment upgrades.
• Upcoming Meeting: The next Board of Elections meeting is scheduled for September 4th and 9th, 2025.

This meeting demonstrated the Board’s commitment to ensuring fair and accessible elections through proactive planning, addressing voter registration accuracy, and seeking community input. The upcoming survey is a key opportunity for residents to shape the future of voting in Buncombe County.