Board of Elections Meeting: May 13, 2025

Board of Elections Meeting Recap: May 13, 2025

The Buncombe County Board of Elections convened on May 13, 2025, addressing a range of topics related to upcoming elections and internal transitions within the Board. The meeting centered heavily on preparing for future election cycles, acknowledging departing staff members, and navigating a move to a new office location.

Key Decisions & Approvals: The Board approved the agenda for the meeting and, with minor clarifications regarding previous discussions about the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, approved the minutes from their April 29th meeting. A significant decision was made to engage legal counsel, Darrington Smith (previously involved in the Asheville City Council election case), to assist with drafting a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Buncombe County. The Board agreed to schedule an introductory phone call with Mr. Smith to discuss the scope of services and potential costs, before a formal proposal is presented at their next meeting.

Discussion Highlights: A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing and thanking Karen Brinson-Bell, the outgoing Executive Director, for her six years of dedicated service. Board members highlighted her crucial contributions to emergency management preparedness, communications strategies, and bolstering cybersecurity measures within the elections office. The Board also acknowledged the years of service from Devin and Nate. Discussions then shifted to upcoming election-related activities, including a review of the poll worker recruitment process and confirmation that a protest regarding the Griffin election has concluded without changes to vote counts. The Board also confirmed their participation in three county commissioner town halls this summer (with a revised date for the first event on August 7th), where they will offer voter registration and photo ID assistance. Finally, a detailed discussion was held regarding the Board’s potential move from their current meeting space to 35 Woodfin Place, with concerns raised about printing challenges at the new location.

Community Input: There were no formal public comments or testimony offered during this meeting.

Action Items & Next Steps: Several key actions were identified as a result of the meeting. Director Duncan and Mr. Aceto will schedule a phone call with Colin Shive (Darrington Smith) to discuss the scope of legal services for the MOU. The County Commissioners will finalize locations for the upcoming town hall events. Party chairs are tasked with continuing to recruit and submit names of potential poll workers, which the Board will then review. Finally, the Board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 17th at 3:30 PM, which is anticipated to be the last meeting for some current board members.

Why This Matters to Residents: The discussions and decisions made during this meeting directly impact the accessibility and integrity of Buncombe County elections. The efforts to recruit poll workers are vital for ensuring smooth election day operations and providing assistance to voters. The engagement of legal counsel regarding the MOU with the county will ensure a clear and legally sound framework for collaboration. The Board’s participation in town hall events underscores their commitment to voter outreach and providing essential services directly to the community. The transition of leadership, both within the Board and at the state level, will shape the direction of elections administration in Buncombe County for years to come.