Event Recap
Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Board of Elections held its absentee meeting on October 6, 2026, at 50 Cox. The session focused on final preparations for the upcoming election, including the successful completion of early voting machine testing and the review of absentee ballots. Chair Weinertz confirmed that all machines had been tested, retested, and verified by 1:30 PM, stating, "Everything has been tested and retested and verified. So we are ready to move into early voting." The board also approved the agenda and the minutes from the September 29 meeting, though the approval of the previous absentee meeting’s minutes was deferred to the next session due to staff scheduling constraints.
Key Discussions and Updates Executive Director Corrine Duncan provided a comprehensive update on election logistics. She announced that early voting begins Thursday, October 15, across 13 sites, with a "wait map" available to help voters locate less busy locations. Key deadlines were highlighted: the registration deadline is Friday, October 9, at 5 p.m., and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 20. Duncan clarified that same-day registration is available during early voting but not on Election Day. Additionally, she addressed a second round of letters sent to approximately 4,000 voters regarding the voluntary submission of ID numbers. Duncan emphasized that this process is voluntary and does not affect voting rights, assuring the board, "It's totally voluntary and it does not affect voting. Show up and vote." One board member characterized the correspondence as a "fishing expedition for data," noting its similarity to letters sent earlier in the year.
Absentee Ballot Review and Decisions The board reviewed the status of 4,954 issued absentee ballots. Staff recommended the approval of 262 ballots, comprising 192 civilian, 3 military, and 67 overseas ballots, after accounting for mismatches. The board unanimously voted to approve these 262 ballots. Conversely, six ballots were identified with non-curable deficiencies, including four unsealed envelopes, one with only one witness, and one with an unsigned witness. A motion was made and seconded to disapprove these six ballots, which the board carried unanimously. The board also voted to reschedule the next machine testing session from 1:30 PM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, October 13, to allow more time before the regular business meeting.
Community Input and Follow-ups During the discussion on the ID letters, a board member requested copies of the correspondence for review. Director Duncan agreed to provide these copies to the board, noting that the letter is also available on the State Board’s website. Regarding emergency preparedness, board members praised the recent tabletop exercise, with one member noting improved collaboration with the fire department and CAPE (Community Awareness and Public Education). Staff agreed to contact voters with mismatched ballots to resolve issues before the next meeting and will continue scanning and duplicating approved absentee ballots. Director Duncan will provide the requested ID letter copies to the board.
Impact and Next Steps These actions ensure that Buncombe County is operationally ready for the start of early voting on October 15. The approval of 262 absentee ballots and the disapproval of six others finalize the current batch of absentee voting records. Residents are reminded of the October 9 registration deadline and the October 20 absentee ballot request deadline. The next absentee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 3:30 PM, following the machine testing scheduled for 1:00 PM at the warehouse.