Event Recap
Board of Elections Meeting Recap: September 24, 2025
The Buncombe County Board of Elections held its regular meeting on September 24, 2025. The session focused on preparations for upcoming municipal and primary elections, including updates on polling locations, voter registration data quality, and the handling of voter challenges. The Board also addressed administrative matters, such as the approval of previous minutes and the review of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the county.
Key Decisions and Votes The Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the September 4, 2025 meeting. A significant procedural decision was made regarding 25 voter registration challenges, all based on claims that the voters were deceased. A motion was made and seconded to move these challenges to a full hearing, which passed with 5 votes in favor and 0 against. Consequently, full hearings for these 25 cases are scheduled for the Board’s next meeting on October 7, 2025.
Polling Locations and Election Logistics Staff provided updates on securing polling locations for the March 2026 primary. Of 80 precincts, six remain unconfirmed. Staff identified new locations for three of these sites: Precinct 23.2 will remain at Triadstone Missionary Baptist Church; Precinct 27.2 will move to Revolve Church due to remodeling at the previous site; and Precinct 4.1 will move to the North Asheville Library because the North Asheville Community Center is currently being used as a storage facility. For the remaining unconfirmed precincts, staff are exploring alternatives, including Owen High School for Precinct 35.1, and either Mills Gap Baptist Church or Cane Creek Community Center for Precinct 57.1. Two churches are being considered for Precinct 26.1. Additionally, the Board noted that a Woodfin council candidate withdrew after the legal deadline, resulting in a cost of approximately $200 to re-code sample ballots, a cost the municipality will bear.
Registration and Administrative Updates Staff reported progress on the Registration Repair Project, noting that the number of voter records requiring validation due to missing driver’s license or social security numbers has decreased from 2,087 to 1,293. A second sweep of records is planned to identify and correct remaining errors. The Board also discussed the MOU with Buncombe County, noting a potential conflict of interest because the county’s law firm also represents the municipality of Montreat. The law firm stated its first priority is Election Services and proposed amending the contract to reflect this. Board members were asked to review the existing MOU and submit comments to the Chair by September 30, with the amended contract proposed for a vote at the October 7 meeting.
Follow-ups and Next Steps Staff member Ryan Oliver will continue working to finalize the remaining six polling locations and will present a proposal to the Board after the municipal election. Staff member Amy Meier will continue the registration repair project, focusing on identifying and correcting errors in records. Board members Sally Stein and another member will investigate the situation at the North Asheville Community Center regarding its use as a storage facility. Board members are required to review the draft MOU with the county’s law firm and submit any comments or questions to Director Corinne Duncan by September 26.
Impact on Residents These decisions ensure that the Board is prepared for the upcoming municipal elections and the 2026 primary. The move to full hearings for the 25 voter challenges allows for a thorough review process, which the Chair emphasized is important for due diligence. The finalization of polling locations is critical for ensuring accessible voting sites for residents in the affected precincts, particularly in areas where previous locations became unavailable due to construction, storage use, or scheduling conflicts. The continued reduction in invalid registration records aims to maintain the integrity of the voter roll.