Board of Elections Meeting | March 2, 2026 (Evening Session)

Buncombe County Board of Elections Meeting Recap – March 2, 2026

The Buncombe County Board of Elections held an evening session on March 2, 2026, focused primarily on preparing for the upcoming election and addressing new state regulations impacting voting procedures. This recap provides a clear overview of what was discussed, decided, and what residents can expect in the coming days.

Key Decisions & Approvals: The Board unanimously approved 23 absentee ballots, encompassing civilian, overseas, and military votes. A motion to defer approval of the minutes from an earlier meeting (March 2nd at 2:00 PM) was passed, pushing that discussion to the next meeting.

Discussion Highlights: Election Day Logistics & New Regulations: A significant portion of the meeting centered on outlining a detailed plan for Election Day (March 3rd) and the subsequent days. Board members were reminded that they need to be available by phone starting at 6:00 AM on March 3rd, in case of any unexpected issues. The Board is committed to a clear and organized process, prioritizing the processing of absentee ballots first, followed by early voting results, and then Election Day data. A key point of discussion was avoiding premature posting of Election Day results to prevent confusion, with Director Duncan emphasizing the importance of finalizing all early voting data before releasing any Election Day figures. The Board also addressed new requirements concerning provisional ballots and photo ID exception forms, noting that staff has increased team size to meet the shortened timeline for processing these ballots by Friday.

Community Input: There were no formal public comments during this meeting. However, Board members engaged in a discussion about ensuring clear communication with the public regarding election results and minimizing potential confusion.

Action Items & What's Next: Residents can anticipate several key activities in the coming days:

• Election Day Support (March 3rd): Board members will be on standby from 6:00 AM to address any potential emergencies.
• Ballot Processing: The Board will continue processing absentee ballots received up to 7:30 PM on Election Day, followed by early voting and then election day results.
• Warehouse Monitoring: Board members have the option to monitor activity at the warehouse during election day, provided a quorum is present.
• Provisional Ballot Review: Staff will work diligently to process provisional ballots and photo ID exception forms, aiming for completion by Wednesday or Thursday.
• Upcoming Meetings: Mark your calendars! A sample audit will be conducted at the warehouse on Monday, March 9th at 10:00 AM. The Board will hold a Canvas meeting on March 13th at 11:00 AM.
• Media Updates: The Board will provide media updates four times during election day (10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM).

Why This Matters to Residents: The Board's focus on meticulous planning and adherence to new regulations is crucial for ensuring a fair, accurate, and transparent election. The emphasis on clear communication and efficient ballot processing aims to minimize confusion and provide residents with timely information about election results. The upcoming sample audit and Canvas meeting will further solidify the integrity of the electoral process, while the State Auditor's visit later this month underscores the Board’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

This meeting demonstrated a proactive approach from the Board of Elections in navigating new requirements and ensuring a smooth election process for all Buncombe County residents.