Event Recap
Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Board of Elections held its regular meeting on September 4, 2025. The session addressed routine administrative approvals, facility planning concerns, and a formal hearing regarding voter challenges. The Board also voted to retain new legal counsel and approved the minutes from previous meetings.
Key Decisions The Board took several formal votes during the session. They unanimously approved the meeting agenda (5-0) and the minutes from the August 5, 2025, and August 19, 2025, meetings (5-0 each). The Board voted to engage the law firm Allen, Stahl, and Kilbourne as legal counsel (5-0). Additionally, the Board approved the list of Municipal Early Voting Poll Workers (5-0). Finally, following a hearing, the Board voted to sustain all ten voter challenges and remove the corresponding voters from the rolls (5-0).
Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Board’s facility needs. Staff presented a study on warehouse relocation options, discussing both temporary solutions and long-term possibilities such as building a new facility or leasing an existing one. The Board reaffirmed its goal of consolidating operations into a centralized, secure location. During this discussion, Board member Jake Quinn expressed concerns about a perceived lack of strategic planning and a history of reactive solutions to facility needs. He emphasized the need for a clear, long-term plan and a stronger partnership with Buncombe County to ensure the Board’s needs are prioritized. The Board also discussed a potential temporary location near Riverside Drive but expressed concerns regarding flood plain issues.
In other operational updates, staff reported that ballot proofing for the upcoming Municipal Election is complete, and machine testing is scheduled for October 7th. Staff also noted that ADA surveys for polling locations are nearly finished, with 75 out of 80 precincts completed; five precincts will require new agreements, two of which are new locations due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The Board also discussed upcoming voter registration drives for National Voter Registration Day on September 16th, which will be partnered with local libraries.
Voter Challenges Hearing The Board held a quasi-judicial hearing regarding ten voter challenges based on death certificates. The process involved the challenger presenting information and the Board reviewing findings from Election Services staff research. None of the ten challenged individuals or their representatives were present to respond. After reviewing the materials and asking questions, the Board voted to sustain all challenges.
Next Steps The next Board of Elections meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 3:30 pm.