# Board of Elections Meeting: Oct. 14, 2025

**Body:** Buncombe County Government — Board of Elections
**Date:** October 14, 2025 3:30 PM EDT (2025-10-14T15:30:51-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578

## Summary

The Buncombe County Board of Elections met on October 14, 2025, to finalize preparations for upcoming election activities and approve the early voting plan for the 2026 Primary Election. The meeting addressed operational updates for the current election cycle, including the start of absentee voting and early voting, as well as long-term planning for facilities and voter access.

**Key Decisions**
The Board approved the agenda and the minutes from the October 7, 2025 meeting, both by a vote of 5-0. The Board also approved two civilian (CIV) absentee ballots by a vote of 5-0. The most significant decisions of the meeting concerned the 2026 Primary Early Voting Plan. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the North Asheville Library as a 2026 Primary site, selecting it over the UNCA site. They also voted 5-0 to use the South Buncombe Library as a 2026 Primary site, choosing it over the Friendship Center. Additionally, the Board voted 5-0 to add the Upper Hominy Fire Station as the 11th site for the 2026 Primary Early Voting Plan, selecting it over the Jupiter Fire Department. Finally, the Board voted 5-0 to support the staff proposal for weekend early voting dates (February 20 and 21) and hours (10:00 am to 3:00 pm).

**Discussion Highlights**
Director Corinne Duncan provided office updates, noting that the first absentee meeting with ballots occurred on October 14, the first Facebook Live election event and setup of the Early Voting site at 50 Coxe Ave were scheduled for October 15, and the first day of Early Voting was October 16. She also reported that the boardroom at 35 Woodfin Street is on schedule to be ready for the next meeting. Deputy Director Neggy Fox detailed the review of absentee ballots, reporting that 29 civilian, 44 overseas, and 7 military ballots were sent out. The Board discussed a letter from the State Board of Elections to overseas voters who indicated they had never resided in North Carolina. Member Jake Quinn requested that the word “If” be removed from a specific statement in that letter. Director Duncan stated she will submit a ticket to the State Board of Elections for this suggested language change. Regarding the early voting plan, the Board reviewed voter data showing average growth of 13.59% in the North area and 17.25% in the West area. Deputy Director Fox stated that the next step is to submit the finalized plan to the State Board of Elections for review and official approval.

**Community Input**
A community member shared feedback regarding the need for microphones to improve audio clarity during meetings, and the Board agreed this was a valid concern. Another community member emphasized the importance of securing a permanent, accessible community center in North Asheville for voting purposes. Concerns were also raised about the distance some voters have to travel to early voting sites, particularly in upper Buncombe County.

**Follow-ups**
Director Duncan agreed to submit a ticket to the State Board of Elections regarding the language change requested by Member Quinn in the letter to overseas voters. The Board agreed to hold a closed session with the County Attorney at 5:30 pm on October 21 to discuss facilities planning and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with county government. Staff will continue preparations for early voting, including setting up the 50 Coxe Avenue site and working with emergency services. The Board will also conduct a Facebook Live session during early voting to provide media availability.

**Impact**
These decisions finalize the logistics for the 2026 Primary Election, ensuring that residents in North Asheville, South Buncombe, and the Upper Hominy area have designated early voting locations. The approval of the North Asheville Library and South Buncombe Library addresses accessibility and familiarity for voters in those regions, while the addition of the Upper Hominy Fire Station expands coverage to the southwest part of the county. The approval of weekend hours provides additional opportunities for voters to cast their ballots outside of standard weekday working hours. The ongoing communication with overseas voters ensures that individuals affected by state residency rules are informed and have the opportunity to correct their registration information.

## Agenda

- [Approve the agenda](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23477)
- [Approve minutes of October 7, 2025](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23478)
- [Approve two CIV absentee ballots](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23479)
- [Approve North Asheville Library as a 2026 Primary site](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23480)
- [Use South Buncombe Library as a 2026 Primary site](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23481)
- [Add Upper Hominy as the 11th site for 2026 Primary Early Voting Plan](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23482)
- [Support staff proposal for weekend dates and hours](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23483)
- [Adjourn the meeting](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578/item/23484)

## Votes

- Member Quinn moved to approve the agenda for this meeting. — Passed, 5-0
- Member Quinn moved to approve the minutes of October 7, 2025. — Passed, 5-0
- Member Blossman so moved [to approve the total two CIV ballots as presented/reviewed]. — Passed, 5-0
- Member Quinn moved to approve the North Asheville Library as a 2026 Primary site. — Passed, 5-0
- Member Blossman moved to use South Buncombe Library as a 2026 Primary site. — Passed, 5-0
- Secretary Brain motioned to add Upper Hominy as the 11th site for the 2026 Primary Early Voting Plan. — Passed, 5-0
- Member Quinn moved to support the staff proposal for weekend dates and hours. — Passed, 5-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLBDP5ZMD0
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/207/segments

## Documents

- [supporting_2025-10-14_2.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578?document=14942)
- [minutes_2025-10-14.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578?document=14943)
- [supporting_2025-10-14.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/578?document=14941)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLBDP5ZMD0)