Event Recap
Board of Elections Pre-Canvass Meeting Recap
The Buncombe County Board of Elections held its Pre-Canvass Meeting on March 12, 2026, to finalize preparations for the upcoming election certification. The session focused on reviewing audit results, processing supplemental absentee ballots, and addressing issues related to late-arriving mail-in votes ahead of the official Canvass scheduled for the following day.
Key Decisions The Board took several votes to approve procedural items and ballot certifications. The agenda was approved by a vote of 4-0. The Board voted 4-0 to continue the minutes to a future meeting rather than approving them at this time. Regarding absentee ballots, the Board approved one supplemental UOCAVA absentee ballot by a vote of 4-0. The Board then voted 5-0 to disapprove 191 absentee ballots, which were flagged for issues such as late submission, witness signature problems, or pending challenges that were not cured. Finally, the Board approved a supplemental list of 24 overseas (OVR) and 2 military (MIL) absentee ballots by a vote of 5-0.
Discussion Highlights Director Corinne Duncan reported on the sample audit conducted on March 9, noting that precincts 55.1 and 59.1 were randomly selected by the State Board of Elections. She confirmed that hand tallies matched machine counts for both precincts, demonstrating accuracy in the voting process. Staff member Aaron Bell presented data on 181 late absentee ballots received after the March 3 deadline, with a significant influx of 132 ballots arriving on March 5. Bell explained the challenges in determining exact mailing dates based on postmarks. Board member Marianne suggested improving the visibility of election deadlines and information on the Buncombe County website to ensure voters are well-informed. Board member Aaron emphasized the importance of sharing data with state and postal authorities to address potential issues with late mail.
Follow-ups Staff agreed to share information regarding the late mail arrival with the United States Postal Service and the State Board of Elections. The Board directed staff to improve the visibility of election deadlines and information on the Buncombe County website. Additionally, the Board agreed to prepare a comprehensive press report on the late ballot phenomenon. Managers of different voting types, including provisional, absentee, early voting, and election day, will present audit results during the upcoming Canvas meeting.
Impact This meeting served as the final administrative step before the official certification of election results. By disapproving 191 ballots with procedural or timing issues and approving specific military and overseas ballots, the Board ensured that only valid votes are counted in the official tally. The focus on voter education and website improvements aims to clarify deadlines for future elections, while the sharing of data with postal and state authorities seeks to address systemic issues with mail delivery timing.