Board of Elections Canvass Meeting | March 13, 2026

Buncombe County Board of Elections Finalizes Election Results in Canvass Meeting

On March 13, 2026, the Buncombe County Board of Elections convened its Canvass Meeting to finalize results from recent elections and prepare for official certification. The meeting, which began at 11:00 AM and concluded in the afternoon, involved a comprehensive review of election data, including discussions on same-day registration challenges, manual edits to ballots, and detailed audits of absentee, early voting, provisional, and election day results. No public comments were received during the meeting.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to challenge hearings, where the Board considered three cases related to voter eligibility. Following deliberations, the Board unanimously sustained all three challenges, resulting in the removal of those ballots from the official count. Staff also highlighted an unusual circumstance where four voters inadvertently left their completed ballots within polling enclosures, leading to those votes not being counted. While acknowledging this incident, Board members noted improvements made over the years in addressing similar issues.

Following presentations of detailed audit reports, including abstract sheets and precinct-level results, the Board meticulously reviewed all materials, including manual edit logs. This thorough review ensured accuracy and transparency in the process. Ultimately, after careful consideration of all audit reports and supporting documentation, the Board voted unanimously to certify the election results. This certification marks a crucial step in formally recognizing the outcome of the recent elections within Buncombe County.

Several action items were assigned to Board staff following the meeting. Gabrielle will mail abstracts to relevant state and local offices, while Nate will prepare certificates of nomination for the chair's signature pending review by the State Board of Elections. Bria will finalize voter history and upload data for early voting ballots. Staff also reminded the Board of upcoming deadlines, including an election protest deadline (two days after canvass) and a recount request deadline. The next Board of Elections meeting is scheduled for April 14th at 3:30 PM.

The Board’s successful completion of the canvass process underscores their commitment to a smooth and accurate election system in Buncombe County. The Executive Director expressed gratitude for the dedication of Board staff, and members acknowledged the ongoing efforts to refine election procedures. The certification of results ensures that Buncombe County residents can be confident in the integrity and fairness of their electoral process.